The Director General (GD) National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Christianah Mojoshola Adeyeye, has warned Nigerians including drug dealers and importers against drug abuse through internet and other social media platforms.

The DG said the agency is committed to explore the challenges and opportunities for drug control, prevention and treatment in era of internet with a specific look at the evolving landscape of online drug trafficking.

She said this in Lagos, at National Launch of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), Annual Report for year 2023.

Adeyeye, who was represented by Director of Labouratory NAFDAC, Charles Nwachukwu, noted that narcotics and psychotropic substance are indispensable in the management of pains and other medical conditions.

“However, due to the addictive potential of many of them, there is need to balance the access and control of these substance”.

The DG, said therefore, INCB report world drug situation on yearly basis, there is need to inform government party to the International Conventions on drug control to improve their efforts.

She noted that annual report 2023, is focused on the role of internet, including social media in drug trafficking and use.

She said: “This implies that Component National Authority (CNA), must scale up their activities, monitoring online advertisement and scales of controlled substance to stay ahead of traffickers”.

Adeyeye explained that the report further analyses the global availability of narcotics drugs and psychotropic substance for medical and scientific purposes and highlights the persistent disparities in access to medicines for the treatment of pains.

She stated that the precursors report shows issues related to trafficking in synthetic drugs including non-medical synthetic opioid, cocaine and their precursors, which represent a growing threat to public health.

In order to prevent internet drug trafficking, she said the agency has introduced e-permit insurance, which is electronic permit to import controlled substances since 2017, with intention to link this process to the international import and export authorization system.

The DG, explained the agency introduced pre-export notification import (PEN), online system. “This platform has been of great utility in monitoring international trade in controlled medicines and precursor chemicals. Its use is to confirm the legitimacy of transactions of proposed imports”.

In monitoring and surveillance of the distribution chain, she stated the agency is scaling up its monitoring and surveillance of the distribution chain by verification of sales inspection.

She noted the agency also introduced National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP), because it is a multi-agency, multi-sectorial strategic planning and implementation framework that covers key aspects of drug supply and reduction impacting Nigeria. “It is aimed at strengthening responses to drugs in order to contribute to the enhanced health, security and well-being of all Nigerians”.

The Registrar, Pharmacy Control of Nigeria (PCN), Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed commented NAFDAC on the successful presentation of the report.

Ahmed who was represented by Lagos PCN Zonal Director Dr. Taiwo Filusi, noted that the report signifies a crucial milestone in their collective efforts to combat the global challenges posted by narcotics and illicit drugs.

He said the report served as a beacon of hope for all nations striving to create safer and healthier communities.