The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has outlined channels through which Nigerians can report suspected fake, substandard and unregistered medicines, as well as adverse reactions to drugs and other regulated medical products.
The agency urged consumers to report suspected violations and provide relevant information to help it investigate products and identify potential safety concerns.
In a video shared by the agency on Saturday, NAFDAC said, “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.”
Here are the channels Nigerians can use to report complaints and access the agency’s services.
1. Report adverse reactions to medicines
Consumers who experience unusual or adverse reactions after taking medicines, vaccines or using other regulated medical products can submit reports through the MedSafety application, available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Reports can also be sent by email to [email protected] or through the e-reporting platform on NAFDAC’s official website.
According to the agency, “You can also send an email to [email protected] or report through the NAFDAC e-reporting platform on the NAFDAC website.”
2. Report suspected fake and substandard drugs
Anyone who suspects that a medical product is falsified, fake, substandard or unregistered can report it through the NAFDAC Greenbook application, available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
The agency said, “If you suspect that a medical product is falsified, fake, substandard or unregistered, you can report it through the NAFDAC Greenbook app.”
Other channels include the Greenbook web platform at greenbook.nafdac.gov.ng, email at [email protected] or the telephone number 0800-162-3322.
3. Verify a product’s registration status
Consumers can check whether a product is registered with NAFDAC by using its registration number on the NAFDAC Automated Product Administration and Monitoring System portal at registration.nafdac.gov.ng.
The agency advised consumers to use the portal to check a product’s registration status before relying on it.
4. Notify NAFDAC about product recalls
Regulated stakeholders seeking to recall products are required to notify NAFDAC and follow the applicable recall procedures.
The agency said, “If you are a regulated stakeholder and need to recall a product, notify NAFDAC and follow the applicable recall procedure.”
It added that notifications should be addressed to the Director-General through the Director of Post-Marketing Surveillance.
The information may include the product name, registration number, manufacturer or marketing authorisation holder, expiry date, reason for the recall, batch number, distribution details and proposed recall action.
Notifications can be sent electronically through the agency’s designated post-marketing surveillance channel or submitted as hard copies at the nearest NAFDAC office.
5. Contact NAFDAC for enquiries
Members of the public who need clarification or information about the agency’s services can call 0700-162-3322 or send an email to [email protected].
They can also visit nafdac.gov.ng for official information and services.
Emphasising the importance of public participation, NAFDAC said, “When you report, provide as much relevant information and supporting evidence as possible.”
The agency added, “Your report could help NAFDAC identify a safety concern, investigate a product, and improve a service.”
It urged Nigerians to speak up when they encounter suspected violations, adding, “Know where to go, report it, speak up, ask NAFDAC, stay informed, stay safe.”