The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has called on health stakeholders to always seek guidance from the agency on how best to register their products.

The call was made by NAFDACs Director South-South Zone, Pharmacist Chukwuma Oligbu, during the recently concluded Port Harcourt International Trade Fair in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.

He described NAFDACs presence at the Trade Fair as impactful, adding that this has allayed fears of stakeholders, especially SME and MSME products producers who hitherto see NAFDAC as a masquerade.”

Oligbu further said that the charged political climate in Rivers state affected the turnout of participants, yet the Trade Fair still witnessed participants from all parts of the country.

He stressed that NAFDAC next outing in similar event will experience higher turnout which will provide them greater opportunity to reach out to more SME and MSME producers. 

In a related development, the National Pharmacovigilance Centre, a directorate of NAFDAC has called on healthcare practitioners in Rivers State to always report incidences of adverse drug reactions through NAFDACs Yellow Form to the National Pharmacovigilance centre. In a press release signed by Cyril Monye, Public Relations Officer NAFDAC, South-South Zone, said the call was made during a seminar organized in Port Harcourt. 

According to the release facilitators from Pharmacovigilance Centre, Abuja, Dr. Abiodun Abiola and Rosemary Ochegbue advised the participants to set up pharmacovigilance committee in their various healthcare facilities to collate Individual Case Safety Report (ICSR).

The release expressed further Participants were asked to take note of some drugs that have been withdrawn from the market, such as Analgin, Butazolidine and Gentamycin 280mg due to adverse reaction on patients and ensure that they are not found in their medical facilities. Participants were informed when it becomes expedient for healthcare providers and patients to use the yellow form.

The interactive seminar featured medical personnel across the states tertiary, secondary and primary healthcare institutions.