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- discourages clearance for imported syringes, others
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has lamented the negative response that often accompany Nigeria’s food and agricultural products that exported to European Union (EU) and other countries of the world.
It said that Nigeria losses billions of Naira annually in foreign trade that could have benefitted its people in terms of financial and logistics empowerment, as about 70 per cent of the food products export are rejected because they did not go through NAFDAC regulatory assessment.
NAFDAC, in a statement, on Sunday, indicated that its Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, registered the concerns at a recent meeting with members of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), in Lagos, led by its National President, Mr. Emenike Nwokochi.
Prof. Adeyeye noted that the Agency had analysed the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) from the EU and observed that most rejected products by the EU that failed relevant tests were not having the right documentation/certifications.
She noted that international market is competitive in nature, and only welcomes products of high quality with relevant certifications and quality packaging that is environmentally friendly and beneficial to trade globally.
“The problem of quality, standard, certification and appropriate packaging for made-in-Nigeria products destined for export has been an issue in the international market. We need proper collaboration and synergy between all stakeholders to curb the negative behaviour of some of these exporters, and ensure only quality and certified products are exported.’’
She, however, emphasized the need to address the issue of rejections, adding that some exporters obtain the wrong documentation, especially fake lab results, instead of presenting their products to NAFDAC’s ISO 17025:2015 accredited laboratories for analysis.
She maintained that NAFDAC has the responsibility to regulate and control the manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution advertisement, sale and consumption of drugs, food and other regulated products in Nigeria.
‘’NAFDAC, having attained the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems that covers all regulatory processes and procedures and certified WHO GBT maturity level 3, places great premium on deepening use of science in its regulatory processes and self-developments.’’
She, however, appealed to Nigeria Customs Service to assist in salvaging some local manufacturing companies particularly syringes, by denying clearance to imported syringes.
Prof Adeyeye highlighted the stupendous investments committed to local production of Syringes in Nigeria by a local pharmaceutical company during a recent facility tour. “The standard of the facilities could be compared to what could be found in the US or any country in Europe. But I was highly disturbed at the huge unsold products.
“Over 1.5 billion units of the product were lying untouched in the warehouse due to low sales, exacerbated by the influx of imported syringes despite the high import duty slammed on the product to protect the local market.
“I understand the challenges of not making sales, especially after investing a significant amount of money. That’s why I am particularly meticulous when it comes to overseeing our export processes.
“However, Intelligence reports I have indicated that some compromise are being made at the Ports of Entry in allowing illegal importation of unregistered containers of syringes.”
