Nigerians can report suspected fake medicines, unregistered medical products and unusual reactions to drugs through several channels provided by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The agency, in a public awareness video shared on Saturday, urged consumers to report suspected violations and provide relevant details that could assist investigations, identify unsafe products and improve the monitoring of regulated medicines.
NAFDAC said people who experience unexpected or adverse reactions after taking medicines, receiving vaccines or using other regulated medical products could submit reports through its designated reporting channels.
“If you experience an unusual or adverse reaction to a medicine, other regulated medical products or vaccines, report it through the MedSafety app available for download on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store,” the agency said.
Consumers can also report suspected fake or substandard medicines, verify product registration, notify the agency about product recalls and seek information about its services through the following channels.
- Reporting adverse reactions to medicines
People who experience an unusual or adverse reaction after using medicines, vaccines or other regulated medical products can submit reports through the MedSafety application, available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Reports may also be sent by email to pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng or submitted through the e-reporting platform on NAFDAC’s official website.
The agency encourages consumers to report suspected reactions so that relevant information can be assessed and potential safety concerns investigated.
- Reporting suspected fake and substandard drugs
Consumers who suspect that a medicine or another medical product is falsified, substandard or unregistered can report it through the NAFDAC Greenbook application.
The application is available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, while the web platform can be accessed at greenbook.nafdac.gov.ng.
NAFDAC also accepts reports through the email address sf.alerts@nafdac.gov.ng and the telephone number 0800-162-3322.
The agency urged members of the public to provide relevant information about suspected products to help its officials investigate possible violations.
- Checking whether a product is registered
Before purchasing or using a regulated product, consumers can check its registration status through NAFDAC’s Automated Product Administration and Monitoring System portal.
The portal, available at registration.nafdac.gov.ng, allows users to search for product registration information using the relevant registration details.
Checking the registration status can help consumers identify discrepancies and make more informed decisions about regulated products. However, registration verification should not be treated as a substitute for medical advice or a guarantee that a product has been stored and handled properly.
- Notifying NAFDAC about product recalls
Businesses and other regulated stakeholders seeking to recall a product are required to notify NAFDAC and follow the applicable recall procedures.
According to the agency, notifications should be addressed to the Director-General through the Director of Post-Marketing Surveillance.
The information required may include the product name, registration number, manufacturer or marketing authorisation holder, expiry date, batch number, reason for the recall, distribution details and proposed recall action.
Notifications may be submitted electronically through the agency’s designated post-marketing surveillance channel or delivered as hard copies to the nearest NAFDAC office.
The recall process helps the agency and relevant stakeholders identify affected products and take appropriate steps to address potential risks to consumers.
- Contacting NAFDAC for enquiries
Members of the public seeking information about NAFDAC’s services can contact the agency through its general telephone line, 0700-162-3322, or email nafdac@nafdac.gov.ng.
Additional information about its activities and services is available on the agency’s official website, nafdac.gov.ng.
NAFDAC stressed that the quality of information supplied by complainants could assist its response to reported cases.
“When you report, provide as much relevant information and supporting evidence as possible,” the agency said.
It added that reports could help identify safety concerns, support investigations into suspected products and improve its services.
The agency urged Nigerians to report suspected violations rather than remain silent when they encounter potentially unsafe medical products.
Its message to consumers was to know the appropriate reporting channels, seek clarification when necessary and remain informed about the safety of medicines and other regulated products.
