The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it is committed to the coordinated wholesale centres for effective distribution of pharmaceuticals in the country.
Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director General of the agency, said this in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja.
She stated that the practice where licensed manufacturers and importers sold directly to unlicensed pharmaceutical wholesalers in open markets would not continue.
According to her, it does not support the current mitigation strategies against the diversion of controlled substances and illicit use of narcotics and psychotropic substances.
“We, therefore, remain committed to the coordinated wholesale centres being envisaged for the effective distribution of pharmaceuticals in the country,” she said.
Adeyeye said the agency would also strengthen its relationship with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) to ensure effective monitoring of substance control.
The agency said this would help in tracking of controlled substances in the distribution chain and to enforce compliance with the National Drug Distribution Guidelines.
According to her, NAFDAC will continue to build upon the synergy that exists between the agency and the PCN to ensure effective monitoring and tracking of controlled substances.
She said that the Minister of Health, Dr Osaigie Ehinare, approved the decentralisation of the warehousing of narcotic drugs to the six geopolitical zones for effectiveness.
Adeyeye said that the narcotic stores were domiciled in selected tertiary health institutions.
According to her, currently health facilities buy their narcotics from the nearest zonal narcotic store without coming to the Federal Central Medical Store in Oshodi-Lagos.
“In addition, the agency, on the platform of Response to Drugs and Related Organised Crime in Nigeria, is spearheading the review of inventory keeping tools in line with current realities.
“The tools have been revised and are currently being piloted on the platform the guidance of a Technical Working Group with stakeholders’ input.(NAN)
