Drugs law agency warns Nigerians against abuse of antibiotics

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control,(NAFDAC) has raised the alarm over the increasing rate of irrational use of antibiotics which has further accelerated the process of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), leading to avoidable deaths.

Penpushing reports that the Director General of the agency, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye made this known at the virtual 2021 World Antimicrobial Resistance Week (WAAW) anniversary with the theme, Spread Awareness Stop Resistance.

The Resident Media Consultant of the agency, Sayo Akintola in a statement on Sunday said the Director General issued a strong note of warning that if allowed to fester; antimicrobial resistance could lead to death.

The agency boss added that the menace and war against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) has, not only gained prominent and global attention but, also become a significant battle that the human race must win.

‘It is in view of this fact; I am delighted to be part of this battle and welcome all our esteemed stakeholders to the front line of this battle. Creating awareness amidst us all is a major step in AMR stewardship by relevant stakeholders to effectively stop resistance’’, she said.

Penpushing further reports that, Adeyeye emphasised that the step is unique and is expected, not only to redirect way of handling and use of antimicrobial agents, but also to yield a significant reduction in the incidence of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

The Director General explained that the agency is using the stakeholders’ meeting, to mark her participation in the year 2021 World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW), targeting professionals in the Healthcare sector, Veterinarians, Animal Husbandry professionals in livestock production, Plant Pathologists and individuals that   use antimicrobial agents.

Penpushing also reports that Adeyeye expressed dismay that the development and proliferation of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), which is the ability of pathogenic microorganism to resist the effect of antimicrobial agents when used to treat internal or external infections in both human and animal population has compromised the ability of antimicrobials to effectively treat infectious diseases as expected.

The Director General pointed out and lamented that the emergence and spread of drug-resistant pathogens continues to weaken the health systems, just as she posited that the fight against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) requires collective efforts that are interlinked and interphase along the One-Health Concept.

Penpushing reports that, to this end, she said the agency in her regulatory activities has put in place some important regulatory measures to curb the emergence and spread of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

‘’This is very necessary and extremely important to ensure food safety and food security, a safe environment, and a healthy citizen in our dear country’’, she said, adding that everyone in the healthcare, livestock production and environmental management subsectors of the economy is directly or indirectly involved in curbing AMR’.

Penpushing further reports that Adeyeye, however, reaffirmed the agency commitment to ensuring that only safe and wholesome food, drugs, and other regulated products are available to Nigerians.

‘’The Agency is now more dedicated to the delivery of quality services to our stakeholders thus the Agency’s slogan “customer focused…. Agency minded” which is now well entrenched in our operations’’, she stated.

The agency boss added that the organisation seeks to strengthen collaboration with stakeholders, sister MDAs both at State and Federal levels, toward a more effective regulation and active involvement in creating awareness about Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR,

Penpushing also reports that, she insisted that ignorant and /or non-conformance amidst professionals will be a serious setback in bringing to an end the emergence and spread of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

‘The Agency’s stake in the protection of public health, as entrenched in NAFDAC Act Cap N1 LFN 2004, is to ensure that regulated products that are available for use are wholesome, safe and of the right quality’.

‘The Agency, in fulfilling this mandate toward combating AMR, is adding impetus to her regulatory activities through industrial outreach and collaboration with stakeholders and fostering synergy within her technical directorates to attain a seamless regulatory process and ensuring that the distribution and use of regulated products are effectively controlled through a robust Post Marketing Surveillance.

The Director General disclosed that the agency has, amidst other regulatory actions which include: reviewed the formulation of all antibiotics to prevent the excessive use of multiple, active Pharmaceutical Ingredients and banned the use of Antibiotics as growth promoter in livestock and fish production.

Penpushing reports that Adeyeye explained that the agency has banned the use of Antibiotics and gentian violet as mold inhibitor in animal feed,adding that the establishment also introduced the Mobile Authentication Service (MAS), a mechanism put in place for detecting counterfeit antibiotics by consumers.

The agency boss explained that the agency  organised road show campaign and public enlightenment on the appropriate use of antimicrobial agents to promote safe and judicious use of antibiotics.

Penpushing further reports that, she said several factors have perpetuated the accelerated Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurrence; and they contribute in various ways to the problem.

The Director General noted that misuse resulting from overuse and underuse of antimicrobial agents have been identified as main causes and implicated in the increasing trend of resistant pathogens in both human and animal populations.

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