By Rabi Jibo Mohammed
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has called on communities to actively support pharmacovigilance efforts by reporting adverse drug reactions and avoiding unsafe medications.
The Kogi State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Pharmacist Philip Benu made the call at a one day Grassroots Community Sensitization Programme on Pharmacovigilance in Lokoja.
The Coordinator said NAFDAC remains committed to safeguarding public health by ensuring that medicines, vaccines, medical devices, and other regulated products circulating within Nigeria are safe, effective, and of good quality.
Pharmacist Benu said despite strict regulatory measures, even safe medicines can sometimes cause unexpected adverse reactions, making pharmacovigilance a critical component of healthcare delivery and public safety.
He expressed concern over the growing cases of self-medication, inappropriate drug use, and the circulation of substandard and falsified medical products within communities.
The Coordinator explained that the programme was designed to deepen stakeholders’ understanding of reporting adverse drug reactions and medicine-related problems, improve collaboration between communities and NAFDAC, enhance early detection of safety concerns, and promote a culture where every report contributes to public health protection.
He advised Participants to use medicines only as prescribed by qualified health professionals, verify NAFDAC registration numbers before purchasing drugs, and avoid buying medicines from unauthorized sources such as open markets and hawkers.
He encouraged the public to promptly report any unusual reactions or problems noticed after taking medications through nearby health facilities, pharmacies, NAFDAC offices, the NAFDAC Med Safety Mobile App, e-reporting platforms, or the agency’s Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) reporting forms ,stressed that it does not only protects individuals but also helps safeguard families, communities, and the nation at large.
The Coordinator called for stronger partnership and active participation from all stakeholders in ensuring that medicines available in communities remain safe, effective, and of high quality.
In his remarks, the Maigari of Lokoja represented by Etsu Adankolo,Chief David Agbayi, praised NAFDAC for its efforts in monitoring, evaluating and withdrawing harmful products, especially drugs, from circulation to curb abuse.
He urged the Agency to intensify its enforcement activities by sanctioning drug dealers who operate outside the law across the state, noting that such actions would serve as deterrent to others.
Also speaking, the Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) Kogi Command, Umar Yahuza, said fake drugs pose serious risks to public health and stressed the need for continuous sensitization campaign, called for partnership to curb drug abuse and combat the circulation of fake drugs in Nigeria.
The sensitization programme brought together healthcare professionals, community leaders, religious groups, market women, youth groups, media representatives, civil society organizations, and professional to strengthen awareness and collaboration on medicine safety.
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