An Analysis Of The Impact Of Nafdac (National Agency For Food And Drugs Administration And Control) In Drugs Quality Improvement In Nigeria

Abstract

Counterfeit drugs are non-authentic drugs that have been manufactured using incorrect amounts or incorrect ingredients to either reduce or nullify the potency of the drugs. Trading and use of counterfeit drugs have been reported by WHO(World Health Organization) as one of the causes of high morbidity, mortality in the Nigerian health sector. This study aims to identify the impact of NAFDAC on drug quality control in Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey of 37 participants, including medical professionals, NAFDAC staff, pharmacists and consumers was done using a questionnaire. Results from the study revealed that the drug situation in Nigeria is not good and that the high cost of good quality drugs, inadequate laws or poor enforcement of the existing drug quality control regulations and the inadequate drug distribution monitoring system were the major factors influencing the production and distribution of low-quality drugs in Nigeria. NAFDAC has set up enforcement officers for control and routine inspection, providing mobile authentication of services to help consumers differentiate fake from original drugs to combat this issue. In conclusion, NAFDAC is trying its best to combat the drug issues in Nigeria but more efforts are needed to make it effective. This study recommends that the government should subsidise the cost of drugs, put up more stringent drug laws and punishment for defaulters to discourage production and distribution of counterfeit drugs in Nigeria.