#Functions of NDLEA

[akeliciousmedia]

Marwa Bemoans Absence of Drug Control Committees in Several States

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, has expressed concern over the failure of a majority of Nigerian states to establish functional State Drug Control Committees. Marwa described the situation as a major setback in the fight against drug abuse across the country. Speaking at a capacity-building workshop organised by the NDLEA…

[moshinfohub]

Guidelines for the Registration of MSME-regulated products

This article will explain in detail the Guidelines for the Registration of MSME-regulated products (Micro, Cottage, and Kitchen Scale).

Here, you will learn all you need to get a NAFDAC registration number. However, the article will talk about NAFDAC, its functions, and its cost.

To understand better the purpose of this article, we need to know what NAFDAC is and how they operate.

What is NAFDAC

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is a Nigerian regulatory agency responsible for regulating and controlling the manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, advertisement, sale, and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, and detergents in Nigeria.

In order to ensure that Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) engaged in these activities are operating in compliance with NAFDAC regulations, the agency has established guidelines for the registration of MSMEs.

To register with NAFDAC as an MSME, the first thing is to determine the appropriate category for your business. NAFDAC classifies MSMEs into three categories: Micro, Cottage, and Kitchen scale.

Micro enterprises are those with a turnover of less than NGN 5 million per year, cottage enterprises have a turnover between NGN 5 million and NGN 50 million per year, and kitchen scale enterprises have a turnover between NGN 50 million and NGN 100 million per year.

Once you have determined the appropriate category for your business, you will need to complete the necessary registration forms and provide the required documents.

These may include proof of business ownership, proof of product quality, and proof of compliance with relevant regulations. You may also need to pay a registration fee.

All processes will be analyzed in simple terms below.

It is important to note that NAFDAC registration is not a one-time process. MSMEs are required to renew their registration annually, and may also be subject to periodic inspections and audits to ensure ongoing compliance.

By following these guidelines and complying with NAFDAC regulations, MSMEs can help ensure the safety and quality of the products they manufacture, import, or sell, and protect the health and well-being of Nigerian consumers.

FUNCTIONS OF NAFDAC

The functions of NAFDAC as provided in the enabling law that establishes it are to:

The functions of NAFDAC as provided in the enabling law that establishes it are to:

Advice Governments, the private sector, and other interested bodies regarding the quality, safety, and regulatory provisions on regulated products.

Assembly such activities as are necessary or expedient for the performance of its functions.

Compile and publish relevant data resulting from the performance of the functions of the Agency or other sources.

Compile standard specifications regulations and guidelines for the production, importation, exportation, sales, distribution, and registration of regulated products.

Conduct appropriate tests and ensure compliance with standard specifications designated and approved by the Council for effective control of the quality of regulated products and their raw materials as well as their production processes in factories and other establishments.

Control the exportation and issue quality certification of products intended for export.

Establish and maintain relevant laboratories or other institutions in strategic areas of Nigeria as may be necessary for the performance of its functions.

Grant authorization for the import and export of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances as well as other controlled substances; Collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a bid to eradicate drug abuse in Nigeria.

Issue guidelines, grant approvals, and monitor the advertisement of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, bottled water, Chemicals, and detergents.

Liaise with relevant establishments within and outside Nigeria in pursuance of its functions.

Manage inspection of imported regulated products and establish relevant quality assurance systems, including certification of the production sites.

Pronounce the quality and safety of Products after appropriate analysis.

Regulate and control the importation, exportation, manufacture, advertisement, distribution, sale, and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, bottled water, Chemicals, and detergents.

Sponsor such national and International conferences as may be considered appropriate.

Take measures to ensure that the use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances is limited to only medical and scientific purposes.

Take up the registration of foods, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices bottled water, Chemicals, and detergents.

Undertake appropriate investigation into the production premises and raw materials for regulated products and establish relevant quality assurance systems, including certification of the production sites and the regulated products

More on Guidelines for the Registration of MSME-regulated products

Having known more about NAFDAC, now we can go to our discussion on why we are here.

What is the Meaning of MSME

It stands for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises. They are small business-sized entities. However, It is a business that can be managed by one or two-person partners, private or public limited companies.

A microenterprise is a business that has the potential to reduce the level of unemployment in a country.

According to CBN, in countries at the same levels of development as Nigeria, SMEs contribute a much higher proportion to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) than currently observed in Nigeria.

Studies by the IFC show that approx. 96% of Nigerian businesses are SMEs compared to 53% in the US and 65% in Europe.

SMEs represent about 90% of the manufacturing/industrial sector in terms of the number of enterprises.

NAFDAC MSME-regulated products are; Bread, Chips, Chin-chin, Coconut oil, Dried fish, Flour, Groundnut, Honey, Laundry starch, Liquid detergent, Palm oil, Petroleum jelly, Popcorn, Seasoning, Shea butter, Water, etc.

Kindly read the full article on https://www.moshinfohub.com/guidelines-for-the-registration-of-msme-regulated-products/

[upshotre]

Ganduje forms cabinet, returns henchmen

Over five months of intense lobbying, Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has put finishing touches on the list of his cabinet, returning some members of his Kitchen Cabinet. The Nation reports that seven former Commissioners scaled the hurdles of meeting Governor Ganduje’s criteria by been retained for the second time.   Those former Commissioners, who made a comeback, include, Mohammed Garba, lnformation, Murtala Sule Garo, Local Government, Ahmed Garba, Commerce, Ibrahim Muktar, Justice, and Dr Kabir Ibrahim Getso, Health. Also, two former Commissioners from Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau’s administration and camp, made it back, namely, Musa lliyasu Kwankwaso,Rural Development, and Budget Planning Shehu Na’llah. It was also gathered that it was apparent that these Commissioners will be retained, because of loyalty, their frequency in public functions with Governor Ganduje, as well as the Tribunal, gave clear indications they will make it back to form the cabinet. It Nation also learnt that the Governor have since forwarded the list of his cabinet members to security agents for screening.   Security sources hinted that already their men have concluded background checks on all the nominees, while personal screening will commence today. Also, it was gathered that screening will be conducted in batches starting from Monday to Wednesday. However, Ganduje has kept people in suspicion over when he will announce his cabinet, since the inauguration of his second term in office in May 29th, 2019. A source at the Government, who pleaded anonymity, confided with this reporter that the governor was then waiting for the outcome of the tribunal judgment, before unveiling his ‘surprise’ cabinet. However, the new lucky faces of the Governor’s cabinet nominees are still been awaited. It could be recalled that Governor Ganduje had pronounced that any appointment made in the state, such personalities will be subjected to screening by law enforcement agents. As such, the nominees will now undergo the routine screening in the DSS and drug test at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ganduje, Abba Anwar, in his reaction, over the submission of his boss list of cabinet, simply said, my friend, to the best of my knowledge, l don’t know whether my boss has forwarded any list to the security agents. To this end, sources at the state House of Assembly hinted that list of the nominees are expected to be submitted by the end of this month. Read the full article

[rohefngo]

Together we say no to Drug Abuse. . We will like to define drug according to United Nations International Drug Control Publication Titled: “Drug Abuse 1992”, as a natural or synthetic substance which when introduced into the body system affects the functioning and,  or the behaviour of the individual concerned. It is a substance that changes the state or the functions of cells, organs or organisms. . DRUGS CAN BE CATEGORIZED INTO General or Essential Drugs Psychoactive Drugs . WHAT IS DRUG ABUSE? Drug is said to be abused when it is not: * Not medically necessary. * Not recommended by a medical Doctor,  Pharmacist or any other qualified medical personnel. * When the use is forbidden by law or the society such Cocaine and Heroine. * Used excessively or overdoseage even when  legally acceptable e.g essential drugs like Antibiotics capsules, tablets, Injections, wine, spirits, Kolanuts, Analgesics etc. . * Using less than the dosage prescribed.  This includes all these essential drugs. Stay away from drug abuse. . Say no to drug abuse. Drug abuse is dangerous and harmful to the body. To be cont’d… . @undp @ndlea_nigeria . #saynotodrugabuse #stopdrugabuse #drugawareness #peerpressure #youthsaynotdrug #youthempowerment #awareness #prevention #enddrugabuse #june26th #ngoconnecthub #ngoinnigeria #internationaldayagainstdrugawareness #lendahandtouchalife #rayofhopeempowermentfoundation #rohefngo #rohef #roheftouchinglives #solution codeine #nigeria #africa #ndlea #drugfreenation #Nigeria #africa #families #un #pastortonyrapu #worlddrugday https://www.instagram.com/p/BzLWPU0F4Y9/?igshid=154ufabydmo16

[essencepoints]

NDLEA arrests two bandits drug suppliers in Niger state and a 20 year old with 38kg of cocaine in Delta (photos)

NDLEA arrests two bandits drug suppliers in Niger state and a 20 year old with 38kg of cocaine in Delta (photos)

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested two drug dealers, Martins Okwor Ejiofor, 31, and Bala Mohammed, 33, with a total of 24.450 kilograms of assorted substances meant to be delivered in Gwada, Shiroro Local Government of Niger State where bandits in neighboring forest buy their illicit drugs. Gwada has one of the two functional markets bordering the forest…

[lagmennet]

(NDLEA), have arrested two drug dealers, Martins Okwor Ejiofor and Bala Mohammed with a total of 24.450 kilograms

(NDLEA), have arrested two drug dealers, Martins Okwor Ejiofor and Bala Mohammed with a total of 24.450 kilograms

Gwada has one of the two functional markets bordering the forest where bandits and kidnappers hibernate in Niger State. Drugs seized from the suspects include Codeine – 7.100kg, Diazepam – 6.400kg, and Exol 5 – 10.950kg. Kwara State NDLEA Command’s Highway Patrol Team along Okolowo (Ilorin) – Jebba Highway intercepted the consignment in a Hiace bus, with registration number: Niger 14 B.40NG,…

[sirlowe]

The Nigeria Customs Service NCS,Port Harcourt II,Area Command,Onne Port, has disclosed that it generated a total of Ninety–Four Billion, Forty-Four Million, Six Hundred and Seventy-Six Thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty-Eight Naira and one kobo (N94,044,676,428.01) in 2018.

The Area Comptroller in charge, Aliyu Galadima Saidu made the disclosure while addressing the press on the Commands score card in terms of its operation in 2018 and the first quarter of 2019.

He explained that though the amount generated is about 80% of allotted Annual Target of ₦117.8 billion,it is comparatively better than its performance in 2017 when the command realized Three Hundred and Seventy-Three Million, Two Hundred and Twenty-Six Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ninety Naira, and Seventy-Four Kobo (₦373,226,990.74),an increase of about 0.35% Revenue Collection.

“Specifically, when relating the revenue collected and seizures to the operational strategies used, I am happy to inform you that the Command focused mainly on intelligence base risk profiling of our system with 100% physical examination of cargo at the various terminals and sheds; meetings and sensitizing the stakeholders on the need and benefits of compliance; application of due diligence and professionalism in documentation and examination of cargoes.

One other important step taken is building synergy with other relevant government agencies such as NAFDAC, SON, Port Health, NDLEA and other sister security agencies especially Navy, Police and Immigration for information which has proven to be useful at crucial moments.”

Comptroller Saidu gave the number of seizures recorded by the Command as sixty-one (61) which consists of various items such as 9 x 40 ft containers of Tramadol, Hyergra, Diclofenac and Analgesic Tablets of different types; 64 of 20 containers of foreign parboiled rice and other items such as military uniforms, boots and caps with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of One Billion, Six Hundred and Seventeen Thousand, One Hundred and Fifty-Three Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty-Three Naira (₦1,617,153,753.00).

A comparative review of the seizure profile of 2017 revealed that the year 2018 surpassed with 37 seizures and DPV of ₦1,147,142,275 bringing to about 60.7% increase in seizures and 70.9% increase in DPV as regards to general enforcement.

“More so, we seized one hundred and twenty-six (126) containers which is 81% increase of the twenty-four (24) containers confiscated in the preceding year 2017, “the Customs boss further explained.

He noted that all ICG seizures followed various infractions such as false declaration, concealment, wrong classification, import without end user certificate and complete disregards of import and export guidelines with intent to smuggle in illicit goods.

The Command has worked in synergy with other Customs Units such as the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), Valuation, CG’s Strike Force and Post Clearance Audit (PCA) to achieve maximum compliance to the extant laws on import and export for increased revenue generation; and anti-smuggling feat.

Again, the Command recorded a high level of compliance on export declarations.

” A total of 136,973,413.92 metric tonnes of exported goods with a total Free On Board (FOB) value of $1,126,516,635.9 which is equivalent to ₦409,083,251,160.73 (at N363.14 per dollar) was realized,”he said.

The Command has started the year 2019 on a promising note,as he told the press that during the first quarter, the Command has been able to generate the sum of ₦25,561,932,417.78 when compared to ₦18,857,668,490.00 generated in the first quarter of 2018.

“We have already recorded seizures of nine (9) containers comprising 57,300 pieces of machetes without end-user certificates; 2,000 Jerry Cans of 25 litres of vegetable oil; 6,456 cartons of foreign soap; 535 bales and 142 cartons of wears; and 69 bags of foreign rice with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦106,889,670.00,” he announced.

He attributed the overall achievement in revenue generation to the support of the Comptroller-General of Customs and his Management Team with the full deployment of NICIS II application in the Command.

This deployment according to him necessitated training of five hundred and twenty (520) Officers/Men, and the resultant effect has yielded an intrinsic advantage in terms of revenue, control of infractions in the system and increased compliance level as a result of the additional functionalities.

Furthermore,he revealed, the Command has started in-house training of its Officers and Men on trade facilitation and with emphasis on oil and gas equipment.

He reassured users of the ports of the Command resolution to achieve speedy clearance of cargo from the ports, and also reduce the cost of doing business in the Maritime Industry owing to the Presidential directives on Ease of Doing Business.

Comptroller Saidu also affirmed the zero tolerance of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd.) for smuggling ,warning that the Service will do everything within its capacity to fight it to standstill.

He pleaded with the stakeholders to continue to live upright in their declarations with due diligence and professionalism in proper documentation to avoid the negative consequences of contravening the law.

The customs boss thanked the press for their support and cooperation with the command to educate and sensitize the general public on the command core mandate of revenue collection, facilitation of legitimate trade and enforcement of the fiscal policies of the federal Government in terms of trade.

Customs,PHII,Onne Port posted N94.044bn revenue in 2018. ..N25.561bn already rake in 1st quarter 2019. The Nigeria Customs Service NCS,Port Harcourt II,Area Command,Onne Port, has disclosed that it generated a total of Ninety–Four Billion, Forty-Four Million, Six Hundred and Seventy-Six Thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty-Eight Naira and one kobo (N94,044,676,428.01) in 2018.

[andybello-blog1]

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Recruitment 2018/2019 | www.ndlea.gov.ng

Ndlea Recruitment 2018/2019 | http://www.ndlea.gov.ng FormNDLEA | NATIONAL DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY

This is to inform the general public that application form for the national drug law enforcement agency form is now out for all interested persons who have been waiting for this opportunity to come their way. Job-recruitment portal has come to provide you all the information you will be needing…

[newssplashy]

Codeine Diet: FG recalls 2.4million bottles

According to a statement by Mrs Boade Akinola, Director Media and Public Relations of the ministry on Sunday in Abuja, the recall demonstrated the Federal Government’s resolve to stem the abuse of codeine containing cough syrup and other substances in Nigeria.

The Federal Ministry of Health has recalled 2.4 million bottles of codeine containing cough syrup after a recent audit trail of the substance carried out by National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

According to a statement by Mrs Boade Akinola, Director Media and Public Relations of the ministry on Sunday in Abuja, the recall demonstrated the Federal Government’s resolve to stem the abuse of codeine containing cough syrup and other substances in Nigeria.

Akinola said the minister had recently received the final report of the 22-man Stakeholders Committee set up by the Ministry to address the worrisome menace of codeine abuse in Nigeria.

She quoted the Minister of Health Prof Isaac Adewole as saying that the audit trail and subsequent recall of the substance was part of recommendations of Stakeholders Committee set by the ministry to address codeine abuse in Nigeria.

The minister said the committee was drafted from a broad spectrum of the health sector in collaboration with relevant Agencies as part of Pharmacovigilance and renewed effort to monitor drug distribution channels and sanitise the system.

The Minister recalled that the committee was an offshoot of the Press release issued by the Ministry on the temporary ban of Codeine production and distribution.

He said the committee has Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Christianah Adeyeye as the chairman; other members include Muhammad Abdullahi, Chairman of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Others are Elijah Mohamed, the Registrar of Pharmacists Council of Nigeria; Mr Moshood Lawal, Director, Food and Drugs Services, Federal Ministry of Health; Ahmed Yakasai, President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) among others.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on May 1, Federal Government banned the production and importation of codeine as active pharmaceutical ingredient for cough syrup preparations to check substance abuse among Nigerians.

The minister directed NAFDAC to ban the issuance of permits for the importation of codeine as active pharmaceutical ingredient for cough preparations.

He also directed the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, (PCN) and NAFDAC to supervise the recall for labelling and audit trailing of all codeine containing cough syrups nationwide.

The federal government had also banned the sale of codeine containing cough syrup without prescription. The minister said the directive became necessary due to the gross abuse of codeine in the country.

In this regard, the minister said PCN had been directed to continue enforcement activities on pharmacies, patent and proprietary medicine vendors’ shops and outlets throughout the country.

He also directed NAFDAC to carry out its functions in compliance with the new directives.

The minister said cough syrups containing codeine should be replaced with dextromethorphan which is less addictive.

Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant used to treat coughing, it is also a drug of the morphinan class with sedative, dissociative, and stimulant properties.

source http://www.newssplashy.com/2018/07/codeine-diet-fg-recalls-24million.html

[vigrxwarning]

narcotics help premature ejaculation

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People

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source https://www.vigrxwarning.com/narcotics-help-premature-ejaculation/

[primetimen-blog]

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Ranks & Salary Structure Functions of NDLEA: The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency shall deploy all resources at its disposal for the total eradication of illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances; suppression of demand for illicit drugs and other substances of abuse; recovery of ill-gotten wealth, acquired from proceeds of illicit drug trade, protection, enhancement and maintenance of the image of Nigeria and Nigerians at home and abroad. Interested candidates should click here to get NDLEA ranking scheme

[secretfuneagle]

Three million bottles of codine consumed daily in Kano containing syrup

…We are seeing more drug-related cases – MD, Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba …Senate begins a 2-day roundtable on drug abuse today By Sola Ogundipe, Chioma Obinna & Henry Umoru Unless there is urgent intervention, experts have warned that Nigeria may be building a nation of drug addicts. This is not unconnected with latest reports which show that 3 million bottles of codeine are consumed daily in Kano and Jigawa States. Even the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration of Nigeria, NAFDAC, has expressed worry over uncontrolled use of codeine containing cough syrups across the country. Also just last week, the Medical Director, Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, Dr. Oluyemisi Ogun, had confirmed a sharp increase in the number of patients with drug-related cases seen at the hospital in recent times. Ogun who spoke at a symposium put together by the Health Writers Association of Nigeria, HEWAN, with the theme: “Emergency Response to Disease Outbreaks: The Way Forward in Nigeria”, said although the threat of communicable disorders was evident, the nation ought to be more worried about non-communicable disorders like drug abuse. “We are talking about communicable diseases, but we have another epidemic on hand, which is the issue of drug abuse. We are seeing more and more of this and it is a menace. I would urge that attention be drawn to it urgently. “There is no family now that is not affected. Our children are at risk as much as our husbands, wives and other relatives. It is actually more than an epidemic. In all the nooks and crannies around us there are people selling drugs and we needed to bring this threat to the realm of the public and the government for us to be able to do something about it.” Noting that the issue of drug abuse should at the forefront of the public domain, Ogun noted that all the security agencies, particularly the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA that have a role to play should be able to do so much. In her submission, a Deputy Director of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration of Nigeria, NAFDAC, Mrs Abayomi Bolaji who spoke on behalf of the Director General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye raised alarm over the spate of abuse of codeine containing cough syrups. Bolaji lamented that the Agency was worried about the incessant abuse of codeine in recent times. “We have codeine which is currently being abused. I want to let you know that in the course of our regulatory activities, if we find codeine in a Patent Medicine Store, the person will be heavily sanctioned. Codeine has medicinal use and what the Agency does is that we give permit for it to be imported and sold.” Bolaji said NAFDAC goes as far as collating the stock from the warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and takes stock of what the importer has used and imported to produce and follow up distribution. “But unfortunately, we know people cut corners. Codeine containing syrups are not supposed to be freely sold, they are not Over-the-Counter drugs but somehow they get into the hands of people through the pharmacies or Patent medicine dealers, but it is part of our regulatory functions to control the circulation and importation of these drugs. “If peradventure a manufacturer cannot give account of the quantity that he was given permit to import, he is heavily sanctioned and may not be given permission to import next time. Because of the education of the pharmacists they cooperate but the patent medicine dealers y are the ones selling at night, and we cannot get them when we go during the day time. But it has been discovered that they go as far as hiding these drugs with persons in the next shop, maybe with a tailor or barber. People need to be told the consequences of their action. It is not only just about money. The demand for codeine containing cough syrups is so high.” Findings by Vanguard showed that following the alarm raised three months ago of rising incidences and reports of drug abuse, particularly codeine-containing cough syrups in the 19 Northern states of the Federation, the Senate and other relevant stakeholders are converging in Kano today for a two- day roundtable on drug abuse. It was reported that in 2015 alone, over 2,205 people were arrested in North-West geo-political zone by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, over drug-related abuses. Vanguard gathered that the roundtable will enable the Senate effectively analyze Nigeria’s response to the menace and come up with appropriate strategies on the way forward. During the roundtable, the drivers of drug abuse in Nigeria are to be isolated, with the aim of identifying the psychosocial and medical impact of the phenomenon, assessing current responses, legislative gaps and opportunities for action. Among expected outcomes include: gaining a better understanding of drug use, prevalence, trends and patterns in Nigeria; understanding the current government and Civil Society capacity and efforts towards addressing drug abuse and related issues; gain insight into legislative, policy gaps and develop an Action Plan for interventions by the National Assembly and other stakeholders. It would be recalled that Senate, had in October, this year, raised the alarm about the drug abuse threat in the 19 states, where women, young girls in tertiary institutions, working class ladies, married, unemployed women displaced by Boko Haram insurgency, among others, were involved in drug abuse. The Senate had mandated its Joint Committee on Drugs and Narcotics and Health to investigate the growing menace of cough and other prescriptive drugs abuse and report back to the Senate on the needed legislative interventions to combat the trend. The senators stressed that secondary school students consumed cough syrups regularly. The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, said that the Senate will take necessary actions to reduce the growing menace. According to NAFDAC, Codeine is an opiate used for its analgesic (pain reliever) and more commonly antitussive effect (cough suppressant) in cough syrups. “Codeine containing cough syrups are effective in the management of certain coughs. However, it has a high potential for abuse and may present some serious adverse reactions to the user. For these reasons, access to codeine containing cough syrups has been restricted in several countries. Some of the known adverse effects of codeine include: respiratory depression; hallucination and physical dependence as a result of continued use. NAFDAC is currently working with the Pharmacist Council of Nigeria (PCN), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) to arrest the increasing abuse of these cough syrups in Nigeria. NAFDAC is embarking on massive public enlightenment campaign on the dangers of abuse of codeine containing medicines in Nigeria. The Agency has put in place strategy to limit the supply and distribution of codeine containing cough syrups in Nigeria. Prescribers and dispensers are encouraged to prescribe and dispense these cough syrups rationally. Consumers are advised to take codeine containing cough syrups only on prescription by health care professionals.

via Blogger http://bit.ly/2ARgr96

[newssplashy]

On World Malaria Day, calls for sensitization, against self-medication

As Nigeria join the rest of the world to celebrate this year’s World Malaria Day, the Lagos State Medicine Dealers Association (LSMDA) has said that all hands must be on deck to completely eradicate the disease.

The group made this known on Wednesday in an interview with newsmen at the sports indoors of the National Stadium in Lagos on the sidelines of a programme to mark World Malaria Day.

The president of the association, Kelvinson Okpara, who spoke on the theme for this year’s celebration, ‘Ready To Beat Malaria’, stressed on the need to join hands in order to eradicate malaria completely. This, he said, can only be achieved by massive sensitization.

Okpara stated:

“As part of the celebration we organised a road walk earlier on today to sensitize the general public on malaria, letting them know the dangers and the way out. We also let them know that prevention is better than cure this we did by distributing free anti malarial drugs.

“As you know the most vulnerable people as far as malaria is concern are the pregnant women and children below the ages of 5, so having the road walk was a good way to sensitize the general public.

“Aside from the road walk, you will notice that there are exhibitions by different pharmaceuticals companies selling their various anti malarial drugs at a very affordable this is all to celebrate today. These companies are the ones that supposed this program today which is in its fifth edition.”

While speaking at the event, the Austin Ojojoh Ighekpe the commander of Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Ajah, who spoke on the issue of drug abuse, decried that there has been cases of people complaining about antimalarials not functioning as it is meant to.

“While we are celebrating with the world on this occasion of World Malaria Day, we will not fail to educate you on the hazard of abusing drugs, especially malaria drugs. We have had cases of people complaining that they are taking drugs and it’s not working, but they don’t know that their body has gotten so used to malaria drugs like Artemether and Lumefantrine that it doesn’t work anymore. So on this occasion of World Malaria Day we are letting the general public know that there is a need to stop abusing drugs. There is a need to stop using drugs without doctor’s prescription at self medication kills.

In the same vein, Hon. Chuks Ezenwile, the Secretary General of the association, said that the aim of the program was for stakeholders to rub minds to kick malaria out while noting that prevention is key.

“We know that malaria is very endemic and very dangerous especially to the young ones and the pregnant women so we are trying to sensitize the general public as the rest of the world on the essence of prevention of malaria and the treatment of malaria and total eradication of malaria especially in the sub Saharan part of the world. We are the stakeholders of the industry that’s why we are joining the whole world to celebrate this day and also to proffer solution, bring ideas as to how to completely eradicate malaria.”

“We try to tell the world about this part of the world about malaria especially the rural areas. During our road walk which was earlier in the day we shared malaria drugs to people without the stadium vicinity this is because we didn’t have enough to distribute for free. It is on this note that we are calling on the federal government to partner with us to completely eradicate malaria,” Nwaokeke Victor, the chairman organising committee said.

Thanking the association for organizing the event, Greg Ekene, the general manager of Adrax pharmaceuticals said:

“We are partnering with Lagos drugs dealers association… Malaria kills, so we are selling our drugs affordable on this day so that everyone who comes here can go home with a pack or two.”

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source https://www.newssplashy.com/2018/04/on-world-malaria-day-calls-for.html