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Tag: NAFDAC

  • Senate Seeks Mandatory Anti-Venoms in Hospitals After Singer’s Death

    Senate Seeks Mandatory Anti-Venoms in Hospitals After Singer’s Death

    The Nigerian Senate has urged the Federal Government to mandate the availability of snake anti-venoms and other critical antidotes in hospitals across the country following the death of Abuja-based singer, Ifunanya Nwangene, popularly known as Nanyah.

    Nwangene reportedly died after she was bitten by a snake at her residence, a development lawmakers described as a reflection of serious gaps in emergency healthcare delivery.

    During plenary on Tuesday, the Senate called on the Federal Ministry of Health to formulate and enforce national guidelines stipulating minimum stock levels of anti-venoms, antidotes, and emergency medicines in both public and private hospitals.

    The upper chamber also resolved that private hospitals that fail to maintain these essential medicines should not be granted operating licences, stressing that emergency care must meet minimum safety standards nationwide.

    In addition, lawmakers urged the Federal Government to ensure adequate funding and sustained supply of anti-venoms in public health facilities to prevent avoidable deaths arising from snake bites, poisonings, scorpion stings, and drug overdoses.

    The resolutions followed a motion sponsored by Senator Idiat Oluranti Adebule (APC, Lagos West), who noted that Nigeria continues to record increasing cases of envenomation and poisoning requiring urgent medical attention.

    She warned that the absence of life-saving antidotes in hospitals often results in deaths that could otherwise be prevented with timely intervention.

    Contributing to the debate, senators observed that Nwangene’s death highlighted deficiencies in emergency preparedness, adding that prompt access to anti-venoms might have altered the outcome.

    The Senate further directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control to work with the Ministry of Health to oversee the procurement, quality control, storage, and nationwide distribution of safe and affordable anti-venoms, with priority given to high-risk areas.

    State governments were also urged to conduct immediate audits of hospitals within their jurisdictions to ensure compliance with approved standards for antidote stocking and emergency response.

    The Senate observed a minute of silence in honour of Nwangene, who died at the age of 26.

  • Afenifere calls for tighter security for NAFDAC DG Adeyeye

    Afenifere calls for tighter security for NAFDAC DG Adeyeye

    The Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has urged President Bola Tinubu to improve security measures around Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

     This appeal comes after alleged threats to her life and that of her staff.

    Afenifere’s Organizing Secretary, Abagun Kole Omololu, expressed concern over Adeyeye’s safety, stressing that her work in combating counterfeit drugs and harmful consumables exposes her to dangerous criminal networks.

     The group believes that any attack on her would not only endanger public health but also threaten national security.

    The organization also called for enhanced protection for other key officials, such as the heads of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). 

    They suggested providing these officials with armored vehicles, well-trained security personnel, and modern surveillance systems to ensure their safety.

    Afenifere warned that failing to act could embolden criminal groups, making it harder to fight the circulation of dangerous drugs. 

    The group urged the government to recognize Adeyeye’s contributions and ensure she and her team receive adequate protection.

  • NAFDAC Orders Recall Of Popular Dove Beauty Bar Soap In Nigeria

    NAFDAC Orders Recall Of Popular Dove Beauty Bar Soap In Nigeria

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) detects chemical impurity, orders recall of Dove Beauty Cream Bar Soap.
    NAFDAC noted that the product identified by batch number 81832M 08, which was manufactured in Germany, contravenes the Cosmetic Products Regulation due to Butylphenyl Methylpropional, commonly referred to as Lilial, a substance associated with significant health hazards.
    The agency clarified that BMHCA has been prohibited in cosmetic formulations because of its potential to adversely affect the reproductive system and pose risks to the health of unborn children.
    Furthermore, it highlighted that this chemical has been associated with skin sensitization, which may lead to allergic reactions in certain individuals.
    The statement read, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is alerting the public about the recall of Dove Beauty Cream Bar Soap (100g) with batch number 81832M 08, produced in Germany due to chemical impurity.
    “The product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation, as it contains Butylphenyl Methylpropional (BMHCA), which is prohibited due to its risks of reproductive harm, danger to unborn children, and potential for causing skin sensitization. Several regulatory authorities in the EU have already banned its marketing.”
    Several Dove cosmetic products have been recalled or banned in various countries due to the presence of BMHCA.
    These products include Derma Spa Goodness, Men Care, Men Care+ Sensitive Shield, Natural Touch, Nourishing Body Care Light Hydro, Pampering Body Lotion, Go Fresh, Talco con Crema, Go Fresh Pera, Extra Fresh, Goodness3 Skincare Ritual, invisible dry antiperspirant spray, Go Fresh Revitalize nourishing shower gel, Caring hand wash, and invisible dry.
    NAFDAC has indicated that these soaps are not listed in its database.
    The agency has advised the public to exercise caution and remain vigilant throughout the supply chain to prevent these products’ importation, distribution, sale, and use.
    It said, “Importation of soaps is prohibited in Nigeria as per the restricted and import prohibition list. Beyond the import restrictions soaps and cosmetics are parts of the items ineligible for foreign exchange to import in Nigeria.
    “These products are also not available in the NAFDAC database. Importers, distributors, retailers and consumers are advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale and use of the above-mentioned products. Members of the public in possession of the product should discontinue the sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.”
    It also urged health experts to report adverse events experienced with regulated products to its nearest office.
    “Healthcare professionals and consumers are encouraged to report adverse events experienced with the use of regulated products to the nearest NAFDAC office, via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng, E-reporting platforms available at www.nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med-safety application for download on android and IOS stores,” the agency noted
  • CSOs hold “let the poor live” protest over sachet alcohol, beverages ban

    CSOs hold “let the poor live” protest over sachet alcohol, beverages ban

    No fewer than 100 civil society groups, Wednesday, held what it described as a ‘Let The Poor Live’ protest in Abuja challenging the ban on sachet and PET bottles of alcoholic drinks by the National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

    Led by the Coalition Against Economic Saboteurs, the groups also called for the immediate sack of the NAFDAC DG Prof. Moji Adeyeye for her anti-people policies.

    The groups lamented that the new policy would further pile more problems on the Nigerian economy as it may lead to the eventual shutdown of the industries producing these products.

    They further decried that Adeyeye is being used by multinationals to destroy small businesses in our local production and companies.

    “Today, we address a matter of grave concern, the recent decision by the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC), Professor Mojo Adeyeye, to ban the sale of beverages in small sachets. We view this policy as a direct assault on the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians, a move that will not only put countless citizens out of work but also exacerbate the existing problems of insecurity and unemployment in our nation,” Comrade Kabir Matazu said on behalf of the groups.

    “We strongly condemn this ill-thought-out policy, which seems disconnected from the realities faced by the ordinary Nigerian citizens. NAFDAC leadership abandoned their core responsibility of focusing on issues that truly threaten the well-being of our people, such as the inflow of fake and substandard drugs, we find the Director General choosing to target a sector that provides employment for many Nigerians and serves the needs of millions of families.

    “Professor Mojo Adeyeye’s tenure at NAFDAC has, regrettably, been marked by a series of disappointments and failures to deliver the desired results. Rather than ensuring the safety of our food and drugs, we have witnessed a surge in counterfeit beverages, creating a pervasive doubt about the authenticity of what our citizens consume.

    Ben Omale also called on all stakeholders to unite against the leadership of Professor Mojo Adeyeye.

    “We demand her immediate suspension from office by the President in order to avert further damage to our economy, job losses, and business closures. It is imperative that NAFDAC should be led by someone who prioritizes the real issues affecting our nation’s health and economic stability.”