The Yaba laboratory, located in Lagos State, has been granted pre-qualification approval by the World Health Organization as a Central laboratory of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). It will now serve as a Central Drug Control Laboratory (CDCL) for the agency. At a press briefing in the capital city of Abuja, on December 14, 2023, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), made the announcement of its pre-qualification.
In her declaration, she mentioned that the CDCL had been endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) recently. She expressed that the certification of the laboratory for the agency marked a major achievement in its unwavering commitment to guaranteeing the reliability and excellence of pharmaceutical products. On September 15, 2023, the WHO pre-qualification inspection team sent a mail to the agency, indicating that they had approved the pre-qualification. According to her, this communication confirmed the agency’s eligibility.
NAFDAC role is pivotal in protecting the well-being of Nigerians.
She mentioned that the achievement had eventually been published on the official WHO website. Additionally, she mentioned that the website’s URL, which could be used by the public for citation and reference purposes, had also been shared equally with the agency for wider dissemination. The pre-qualification unit’s website is where to find details regarding the pre-qualification process and a comprehensive list of pre-qualified quality control labs. https://extranet.who.int/pqweb/medicines.
Furthermore, Nigerian regulatory authority known as NAFDAC is entrusted with the crucial role of guaranteeing the well-being and excellence of consumables, including food, medications, beauty products, medical equipment, and allied commodities. The director-general emphasized NAFDAC’s pivotal role in protecting the well-being of the Nigerian population through its commitment to delivering exclusively reliable and untainted goods, with the ultimate objective of upholding public health, explained the DG. The remarkable feat achieved, said the NAFDAC boss, is truly monumental.
CDCL acknowledgement brings manifold benefits to NAFDAC and the country.
It represents a significant milestone not only for the agency but also for Nigeria as a whole. It is noteworthy that only a handful of laboratories worldwide can boast the esteemed distinction of being WHO pre-qualified. The monumental endeavour we embarked on traces back to the year 2010. Nonetheless, it is only in the past four years that the body’s unwavering determination and the concerted efforts of the administration and the Federal Government have paved the way for the administration to triumphantly reach this significant milestone.
Also, NAFDAC’s commitment to upholding international standards in drug quality control and regulation is evident in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) pre-qualification of the CDCL. This milestone by the CDCL showcases the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Controls (NAFDAC) unwavering dedication to ensuring excellence in drug quality control and regulation on a global scale. The Director General of NAFDAC emphasized that the esteemed acknowledgment bestowed upon CDCL brings manifold advantages to NAFDAC and the country.
Nigeria would experience multiple benefits through the pre-qualification.
Additionally, this acknowledgement holds immense significance for the populace of Nigeria as the country would experience multiple advantages through the WHO’s pre-qualification of the CDCL, as Adeyeye explained. These advantages include gaining worldwide acknowledgement, ensuring superior pharmaceutical standards, fostering international cooperation, and promoting advanced measures for public health. The progress of Nigerian healthcare sector can be measured through various avenues such as the regulation of streaming services, bolstering credibility, and facilitating advancements in the healthcare system.
Related Link
NAFDAC: Website
