NAFDAC Hires Indian Inspectors to Curb Fake Drugs
In a decisive step to combat the influx of fake and substandard medicines, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has appointed Cotecna Inspection Services as a Clean Report of Inspection and Analysis (CRIA) agent in India.
This move is part of the agency’s strengthened efforts to block the importation of substandard and falsified (SF) medicines from major export hubs like India and China. It follows the agency’s recent seizure and destruction of over N1 trillion worth of expired and counterfeit drugs in markets across Idumota, Onitsha and Aba.
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, emphasized that the appointment will enhance the agency’s regulatory oversight and pre-shipment verification process.
According to a statement by the agency’s spokesman, Sayo Akintola, Prof. Adeyeye reiterated NAFDAC’s commitment to using the CRIA scheme as a frontline measure against the trafficking of fake medicines, noting that:
“Cotecna joins a lineup of CRIA agents mandated to inspect product quality, packaging, and labelling; conduct random testing; verify regulatory documents; and report non-compliance or attempts to bypass the process.”
She noted that only goods that pass inspection through CRIA-certified labs in India and China will be cleared for shipment to Nigeria.
The agency also introduced a digital platform, the Ports Inspection Data Capture and Risk Management System (PIDCARMS), to verify CRIA and NAFDAC documentation and enhance port transparency.
Prof. Adeyeye warned against any attempts to reintroduce rejected products into Nigeria, stating plans for collaboration with the Indian Government to track and prevent the backdoor entry of rejected consignments:
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“We want to know what happens to the medicines rejected in India… NAFDAC will not allow such products to find their way back into our country.”
She also urged exporters of NAFDAC-regulated goods to engage only approved CRIA agents and stressed that all applicable products must undergo CRIA clearance unless exempted.
Lena Sodergren, Vice President of Verification of Conformity and Africa at Cotecna, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to ensuring quality assurance and supporting safe international trade.
