…We’ll soon attain ML4-Chairman, Governing Council
By Hassan Zaggi
The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has disclosed that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has granted the agency’s laboratory located in Yaba, Lagos state, a pre-qualification status.
She disclosed this at a media briefing in Abuja, on Thursday.
This achievement, according to the Director General, signified a huge milestone in the agency’ dedication to ensuring the safety and quality of pharmaceutical products in Nigeria and the entire African region.
Very few laboratories in the world, according to her, have such apex status of WHO Prequalification.
“Our journey towards this milestone actually started since year 2010, but with renewed efforts and more commitment by our management and Federal Government in the last four years, we have finally achieved this goal.
“The WHO Prequalification of the CDCL is a testament to the unwavering commitment of NAFDAC to meeting international standards of excellence in drug quality control and regulation. This prestigious recognition brings numerous benefits to CDCL, NAFDAC, and, most importantly, to the Nigerian people,” she said.
Speaking on the key benefits of the WHO prequalification status, Prof. Adeyeye said: ‘ WHO prequalification status is a globally recognized badge of honor that attests to the CDCL’s competence in assuring the quality of pharmaceutical products.
“It places CDCL among an elite group of laboratories worldwide known for their excellence in drug analysis.
“The prequalification of CDCL ensures that the quality, safety, and efficacy of medicines tested and certified by the laboratory meet the highest international standards. This directly translates to improved access to safe and effective medicines for the Nigerian populace.
“The new status opens doors to international collaboration with regulatory bodies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and global health organizations. This collaboration will strengthen Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector and contribute to advancing healthcare access in the region.
” The status also plays a pivotal role in safeguarding public health by ensuring that substandard and counterfeit medicines do not reach the market.
“With WHO Prequalification, its impact in this regard will be even more profound, protecting Nigerian patients from potentially harmful products.”
Other benefits of the pre-qualification status, she revealed, include the streamlining of regulatory processes, enhanced credibility and enhancing Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“WHO Prequalification can lead to streamlined regulatory processes, facilitating the faster approval of essential medicines in Nigeria and beyond.
“This prestigious status enhances NAFDAC’s credibility on the global stage and reinforces the trust of stakeholders, including pharmaceutical manufacturers, healthcare providers, and patients.
“The recognition of the NAFDAC CDCL by WHO is a significant milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system, ensuring that Nigerians have access to high-quality healthcare products. For NAFDAC as a regulator, it further enhances our pedigree as we work towards Maturity Level 4, to become a World listed Authority.”
Speaking, the Chairman, Governing Council of NAFDAC, Dr. Mufutau Bolaji Yahaya, said that the prequalification status given by the WHO was as a result of the hard work and dedication of all staff of the agency.
He noted that there has been good working relationship between the current Director General and the Governing Council of the agency. This, he said, has resulted in the progress so far achieved in the agency.
“Since the appointment of the current Director General of the agency and the constitution of this Council, we have taken the fight against substandard and counterfeit drugs more seriously and we have heightened our activities to the extent that every home in Nigeria is aware of what we are doing.
“We have increased resource allocation to laboratory equipment, chemicals, the training of our man power. All these have contributed in taking us to where we are.
“The Council has been extremely supportive of management. This is the example of what you get when the instruments are in harmony, the quality of music is tremendous. That is what we are getting in NAFDAC.”
Dr. Yahaya further note that: “This prequalification by the WHO is the recognition of the impact of our efforts. This Council and the management are determined to get Nigeria to get WHO recognition and certification of ML4.
“We want Nigeria to play on the global stage and we need the laboratory support to ensure that whatever is produced in Nigeria, when it gets to other country of the world it will be accepted without questioning.”
