Health

NAFDAC warns against use of unapproved business registration number

The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has warned business owners against the use of unapproved business registration number.

She made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja.

She said the attention of the agency had been drawn to shady practices where some business owners used a particular approved registration number for multiple businesses in the name of the agency.

The director-general said such unlawful sharp acts are detrimental to the growth and development of the country, adding that it is sabotage to revenue generation. She warned such operators to desist or face the wrath of the law.

Adeyeye said, “registration numbers are allowed on registered approved businesses only.

“We now have the information on those using fake NAFDAC registration numbers, claimed to be approved bythe agency; we are out to catch the perpetrators and would be used to set examples to unpatriotic citizens.”

She also spoke on an incident where only three numbers were approved for a business owner, but the business was using

the numbers for six different products, adding that “NAFDAC is watching.”

She called on media officers to assist the agency in bringing such perpetrators to book, saying that collaboration would assist the agency in that direction.

She pledged to fight dirty with importers of sub-standard drugs and other consumables, adding that “many are still bent in the production of such goods.”

According to her, there are many cases in court at the moment on those Nigerians who have refused to do the right thing.

“We have culprits; some unscrupulous importers at Alagbon custodian in Lagos; they are there until they can take bail.

“There are many cases in court right now as we speak, some have been jailed for five years, I think that is the best punishment we have gotten without an option of fine.

“Our Act is undergoing legislative amendment as we speak, if we do not have a strong deterrent, these unlawful citizens

will go back, so we are working on all fronts to deter such people.

“So, in terms of naming and shaming, we are working as much as we should. In publicity, we do more, so it is fire for fire, fighting substandard medicine is a constant battle.

“We are doing everything we can to make sure that we mitigate substandard falsified medicines. Hawkers are another problem that we have to face. I think it is a traditional problem but our director of FCT is going after hawkers, it is something we have to keep doing,” she stressed.

The NAFDAC boss also spoke on manpower, saying the agency needs more staff, especially on post-marketing surveillance.

She cautioned Nigerians against weight loss capsules, saying there are many tablets and preparations claimed to be effective in losing weight which may cause other health complications.

She called on Nigerians to always check the expiry date, and date of manufacture before buying any product and advised Nigerians to be vigilant and safeguard their health. 

(NAN)

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