Nigeria's NAFDAC warns of drug misuse and rising counterfeit products

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) highlighted two major public‑health threats in Nigeria. Director of Pharmacovigilance Uchenna Elemuwa urged the public and health professionals to use medicines rationally, warning that self‑medication, antibiotic overuse, incorrect dosing and counterfeit drugs lead to treatment failure, adverse reactions and heightened antimicrobial resistance. She called for reporting of adverse drug reactions to protect patients.

NAFDAC also disclosed that counterfeit cosmetics, food and beverages now account for more than half of fake products seized nationwide, alongside falsified medicines with missing or incorrect active ingredients. The agency said sophisticated supply chains, digital procurement and consolidated shipping make detection harder, and it has stepped up cooperation with customs and introduced stronger product‑verification tools. Recent law‑enforcement actions include a 40‑year prison sentence for a drug‑related offence. NAFDAC urged Nigerians to purchase only from authorised outlets and to report suspected counterfeit items.