NAFDAC DG orders market survey, testing as fake paracetamol floods market

The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug and Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has ordered a market survey to sample and test paracetamol brands in Nigeria.

According to recent investigations, nearly all of the paracetamol tablets sold in Nigeria fall short of the requirements specified by the British Pharmacopoeia and the World Health Organization (WHO).

A 2023 study titled, ‘’Comparative Analysis of Five Different Brands of Paracetamol Sold in Nigeria with British Pharmacopoeia Standards’’, exposed variations in the actual dosage of paracetamol tablets.

Samples from five different brands, all purportedly containing 500mg, were found to have concentrations ranging from 185mg to 358mg, significantly below the recommended limit.

The NAFDAC DG, in a statement on Monday and given to Persecondnews, disputed the accuracy of the research, questioned the scientific methodology, and labeled it misleading.

She, however, directed a market survey to sample and carry out a laboratory test of paracetamol brands across the country.

Adeyeye revealed that NAFDAC’s laboratories are ISO 17025-certified every year to ensure that the procedures used for testing are based on international standards, and that the equipment or instruments used are qualified similarly.

“We do yearly post-marketing survey of medicines to ensure that the quality and safety are maintained. We want to reiterate that NAFDAC has five ISO-17025 Laboratories across the country, and a WHO Prequalified Laboratory at Yaba Lagos where medicines are tested for quality and safety.

“The laboratories test medicines using official monographs of British Pharmacopeia, United States Pharmacopoeia, and International Pharmacopoeia.

“As soon as we finish the laboratory testing, we will update the public. NAFDAC wishes to reassure the public that the agency is very vigilant in her responsibilities in safeguarding the health of the nation.

“It is on this basis that NAFDAC has been recognized by WHO as a stable, well-functioning agency, and by other international partners as an organisation that places premium on the quality, safety and efficacy of medicines, food, and other regulated products,” the NAFDAC boss said.