NAFDAC Reaffirms Ban on Sachet Alcohol and Unveils National Call Centre
The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has firmly reiterated that the ban on alcohol packaged in sachets and small-volume containers below 200ml remains fully in force and has not been lifted. This announcement was made by the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, during the launch of a new national call centre aimed at strengthening pharmacovigilance efforts across Nigeria.
Launch of the National Call Centre
Prof. Adeyeye explained that the call centre is designed to improve adverse drug reaction reporting and combat substandard and falsified medicines in the country. She highlighted that many of NAFDAC's successes in tackling fake and substandard products have been driven by public intelligence, and this new platform will provide Nigerians with a dedicated channel to lodge complaints, make inquiries about NAFDAC services, and report suspected fake or harmful products.
"If a patient takes medicine and feels unwell or notices unusual reactions, they now have a centre they can call. Complaints about substandard or falsified medicines can also be escalated for prompt action," Adeyeye stated. Reports received through this platform will enable the agency to investigate and track offenders more effectively.
Operational Details and Impact
Hosted by Interra Networks, the call centre will operate 24 hours a day and cover services related to:
- Food
- Drugs and vaccines
- Medical devices
- Water
- Cosmetics
- Herbal medicines
Emeka Okafor, Managing Director of Interra Networks, confirmed that the system is equipped to handle multiple calls simultaneously to ensure no complaint goes unattended. Adeyeye added that this initiative reflects NAFDAC's commitment to improving customer engagement and regulatory effectiveness, noting that improved handling of customer complaints contributed to the agency's attainment of Maturity Level 3 status under the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Benchmarking Tool in 2022.
Reaffirmation of Public Health Commitments
NAFDAC reaffirmed its dedication to protecting public health through stronger surveillance, stakeholder engagement, and enforcement of regulations, including the continued restriction on sachet alcohol. Adeyeye emphasized that the ban is part of broader efforts to curb alcohol abuse and ensure product safety in Nigeria.
Pharmaceutical Partnership with Bangladesh
In a related development, the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Nigeria, Miah Md Kabir, expressed his country's readiness to partner with NAFDAC to advance pharmaceutical development and promote trade and investment between both nations. During a courtesy visit, Kabir noted that Nigeria and Bangladesh share a long-standing relationship and expressed optimism for deeper cooperation in areas such as pharmaceuticals, technology exchange, and drug and vaccine security.
"Nigeria remains a key strategic partner for Bangladesh, citing its large population of over 180 million people and the trade opportunities available to both countries," Kabir stated.
NAFDAC's Regulatory Achievements
In her response, Prof. Adeyeye reaffirmed NAFDAC's commitment to ensuring the availability of safe, high-quality, and efficacious medicines in Nigeria. She highlighted that the Nigerian pharmaceutical sector has recorded significant growth over the years, driven by NAFDAC's regulatory framework and enforcement actions. Under her leadership in the past eight years, at least 200 Nigerian pharmaceutical companies have attained international standards.
Adeyeye also noted that NAFDAC conducts post-market surveillance to ensure product quality and withdraws substandard products from circulation when necessary. The agency's attainment of WHO Maturity Level 3 status has boosted investor confidence and attracted international partnerships into Nigeria's pharmaceutical sector.
She urged the Bangladeshi envoy to encourage investors from his country to establish pharmaceutical manufacturing companies in Nigeria, stressing that the country offers a large and growing market. Additionally, Adeyeye mentioned that NAFDAC operates a state-of-the-art vaccines and biologics laboratory in Lagos, one of the few in Sub-Saharan Africa, and reiterated Nigeria's readiness to support advanced pharmaceutical production.
