NAFDAC worries over illegal importation of unregistered medical syringes
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, weekend expressed worry over the influx of unregistered medical syringes into the country, alleging that intelligence reports showed that some compromises are being made at the port of entry.
The Director-General, of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye also admonished members of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, to think more of the interest of the country over and above personal gains in their activities as clearing agents at the nation’s ports.
Adeyeye noted with regret that due to a compromise at the port of entry, illegal importation of unregistered containers of syringes is being allowed into the country.
Speaking during a familiarisation visit by the newly inaugurated executives of the ANLCA, led by its National President, Mr. Emenike Nwokochi, Adeyeye narrated to them how she marvelled at the stupendous investments committed to local production of syringes in Nigeria by a local pharmaceutical company during a recent facility tour.
She said that the standard of the facilities she met on the ground was comparable to whatever facility could be found in the US or any country in Europe. Adeyeye added that after the facility tour and being led into the warehouse, she was highly disturbed at the sight of huge unsold products.
She said: “Over 1.5 billion units of the product were lying untouched in the warehouse due to low sales, exacerbated by the influx of imported syringes into the country, despite the high import duty slammed on the product to protect the local market.”
Adeyeye revealed that a publication by the USFDA stated that some syringes that come from Southeast Asia are of bad quality, adding that those products didn’t fly by night and land in different
“I understand the challenges of not making sales, especially after investing a significant amount of money. That’s why I am particularly meticulous when it comes to overseeing our export processes.”