The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has unveiled a revised National Action Plan on Substandard and Falsified (SF) Medical Products, aimed at strengthening the integrity of Nigeria’s medical supply chain and safeguarding public health.

The new framework focuses on proactive measures to reinforce quality assurance systems through public education, stronger regulation, and inter-agency collaboration, while introducing early warning mechanisms to swiftly detect and track falsified or substandard medicines.

Speaking at the launch in Abuja, NAFDAC Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye described substandard and falsified medical products as “a grave threat to the healthcare system,” warning that they undermine public confidence, endanger lives, and compromise the effectiveness of legitimate interventions.

“This action plan reaffirms Nigeria’s dedication to protecting its citizens from unsafe medical products and ensuring that every medicine used in the country meets the highest standards of quality, safety, and efficacy,” she said.

Adeyeye explained that the revised action plan offers a coordinated national response anchored on three pillars — Prevention, Detection, and Response (PDR) to ensure a resilient and accountable healthcare system.

She said the framework prioritises enforcement, rapid intervention, and accountability mechanisms to guarantee swift action against offenders and the removal of unsafe products from circulation.

“The successful implementation of this action plan depends on the active participation of a wide range of stakeholders such as government ministries, regulatory authorities, law enforcement agencies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and healthcare providers, each playing a vital role in ensuring a coordinated national response,” she noted.

The NAFDAC boss stressed that collaboration with international organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), Interpol, and regional regulatory networks remains essential for sharing intelligence and leveraging global technical expertise.

At the same event, NAFDAC also launched three complementary initiatives — the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health + Nutrition (MNCH+N) Initiative, the NAFDAC Office of Women and Children’s Health (NOWCH), and programmes targeting the reduction of maternal and child mortality and malnutrition.

Adeyeye described the initiatives as ‘interconnected pillars’ designed to protect Nigeria’s most vulnerable groups, such as women and children, while ensuring that every medical and nutritional product in circulation is safe, effective, and of assured quality.

She explained that the NOWCH will promote safe motherhood, rational medicine use, exclusive breastfeeding, and the elimination of harmful practices such as drug misuse and unsafe cosmetics. The office will also support local production of paediatric medicines and menstrual hygiene products through partnerships with government, NGOs, and private sector actors.

Adeyeye said the MNCH+N Initiative targets the root causes of malnutrition and maternal and child deaths by ensuring that life-saving nutrition commodities meet regulatory standards and that breastfeeding-friendly policies are enforced.

In his remarks, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reducing maternal and child mortality nationwide.

He disclosed that Nigeria has recorded a 17 per cent decline in maternal deaths and a 10 per cent drop in newborn deaths in the last two years.

“Although the progress is not enough given our population size, it is a remarkable improvement in efforts to reduce maternal mortality. The launch of this National Action Plan is therefore critical to safeguarding the integrity of our healthcare system,” Pate said.

He warned that substandard medicines fuel antimicrobial resistance, erode public trust, and cost lives, calling for stronger surveillance and coordinated enforcement.

Also speaking, Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on NAFDAC, Hon. Regina Akume, described the launch of the initiatives as “a major milestone” in strengthening maternal and child health and nutrition across the country.