In a groundbreaking move to enhance public safety, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has officially introduced an online app for the verification of all medications registered.
The launching which took place at NAFDAC’s office in the Isolo area of Lagos state on Wednesday, January 17, had in attendance stakeholders as well as representatives of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN)
The online app called ”Green Book” is an innovative application aimed at empowering consumers in Nigeria to verify the authenticity of registered medications easily and for transparent drug information. It is also expected to empower healthcare professionals as well as the general public to make informed decisions about prescribed and dispensed medicines.
According to the official statement released by the agency, the app which was launched by NAFDAC signifies a collaborative effort between NAFDAC and stakeholders, highlighting the importance of partnerships in advancing public health.
This technological leap is expected to significantly reduce the circulation of fake drugs in the market, thereby enhancing the overall safety and well-being of consumers.
Speaking at the launching, the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye emphasized the need for transparency and accountability, attributing the success of the launch to the collaborative efforts of both the agency and various stakeholders. She explained that the partnerships reflect the shared commitment of the agency and stakeholders in building a robust framework for pharmaceutical oversight and ensuring Nigerians have access to safe and effective medicines with hopes that the platform is found very user-friendly and efficient.
“It is a repository of NAFDAC-registered drugs. This momentous occasion symbolizes a significant milestone in our commitment to delivering quality, efficacious, and easily verifiable products to the market,” Prof. Adeyeye said.
“May it serve as a beacon of progress guiding us toward a future where healthcare is characterized by transparency, accountability and most importantly, the well-being of our citizens,” Prof. Adeyeye added.
The Deputy Director, E-registration and Data Management, Dr Dunoi Afam, while speaking about the application explained that before products can be registered by the agency, it is expected to have passed through rigorous regulatory work to ensure that the manufacturer of the product meets the standard of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
“Once you have accessed this app on your phone, web or laptops or computer systems, you will be able to check and confirm. And with this, you can even see whether a product is actually a fake product or an original product registered by NAFDAC.”
“Our DG came up with the idea of us having a one-stock shop database where we can see all products that are registered by NAFDAC, starting with medicine, because it is very critical to public health and so we are starting with that and that is why we launch this app now to be able to help our patients, medical practitioners, health providers check the status of any medicine that is brought to them for purchase.”
The “Green Book” app is available for download on both Android and iOS platforms, making it widely accessible to the Nigerian public. NAFDAC encourages Nigerians to embrace this tool as a crucial step towards promoting a healthier and safer medication environment in the country.
