Abuja, Nigeria – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has denied reports that it indicted the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) for the distribution of counterfeit drugs in the country. The clarification was made by NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, during a press briefing in Abuja on Saturday.
The denial comes in response to recent media reports alleging that NAFDAC had accused the PCN of complicity in the circulation of fake and substandard drugs. Prof. Adeyeye described the reports as false and misleading, emphasizing that NAFDAC and PCN are committed to working together to safeguard public health.
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NAFDAC’s Statement
Prof. Adeyeye stated that NAFDAC has a strong working relationship with the PCN and other regulatory bodies in the fight against counterfeit drugs. She clarified that the agency’s recent operations targeted illegal drug distributors and not the PCN.
“NAFDAC has never indicted the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria for counterfeit drug distribution. Such reports are false and do not reflect the collaborative efforts between our agencies to protect the health of Nigerians,” Adeyeye said.
She further explained that NAFDAC’s recent crackdown on counterfeit drugs was aimed at unlicensed pharmacies and illegal drug hawkers, who pose a significant threat to public health.
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PCN’s Response
The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria has also denied the allegations, describing them as an attempt to create division between regulatory agencies. The Registrar of the PCN, Dr. Elijah Mohammed, reaffirmed the council’s commitment to working with NAFDAC to ensure the safety and efficacy of drugs in Nigeria.
“The PCN remains dedicated to its mandate of regulating pharmacy practice in Nigeria. We are working closely with NAFDAC to rid the country of counterfeit and substandard drugs,” Mohammed said.
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Public Health Concerns
The circulation of counterfeit drugs remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria, with thousands of lives lost annually due to the use of fake and substandard medications. Both NAFDAC and PCN have intensified efforts to combat the menace, including the closure of illegal pharmacies and the prosecution of offenders.
Health experts have called for increased public awareness and stricter enforcement of regulations to address the issue.
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NAFDAC’s clarification has put to rest the false reports of a rift between the agency and the PCN. As both agencies continue their collaborative efforts to combat counterfeit drugs, Nigerians are urged to patronize only licensed pharmacies and report suspicious drug practices to the appropriate authorities.