ASHENEWS reports that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched a traceability project to tackle the proliferation of fake drugs in Nigeria.
Tagged the “Narcotic Drugs Serialization Pilot Project”, the initiative is aimed at enhancing transparency and authenticity.
The initiative, which also seeks to safeguard the quality and security of medical products in Nigeria’s drug distribution network uses technology that allows for the tracking and tracing of medicines from production to end-users.
“Through Android phone scanning devices, consumers can now verify the quality and authenticity of drug products, fostering confidence in the medicines they consume.
“This commissioning event is part of a broader effort initiated in May 2018, leading to the development of a Traceability Strategy document launched in October 2020,” NAFDAC said in a statement issued on Thursday.
It added that the focus on narcotic medicines in this pilot project strategically addresses the high potential for abuse and diversion.
This also sets the stage for the full-scale implementation of traceability projects for other drug classes in the coming phases, the agency noted.