NIGERIA BANS PRODUCTION, IMPORTATION OF CODEINE CONTAINING SYRUP
The Federal Government also directed NAFDAC to fully carry out its functions among others: to regulate and control the manufacturing, distribution and sale of drugs, including inspection at points of entry of drugs, drug products and food for compliance with the new directive.
The statement said the ministry shall ensure collaboration among regulatory agencies namely, NAFDAC, PCN, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), for effective implementation of extant Acts, regulations, policies and guidelines on codeine control and usage.
“Furthermore, these agencies shall work together to increase pharmacovigilance around codeine, tramadol and other related substances of abuse’, the Minister emphasied.
The statement added that, the Federal Government through the Health Ministry shall partner with National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Football Celebrities, members of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Performing Musicians of Nigeria and other celebrities to drive national campaign against drug abuse.
“The FMOH shall ensure that drug treatment intervention for victims of substances abuse shall be undertaken across the spectrum of health care delivery system in the country,” Adewole stated, adding that civil society organisations shall be strengthened to deliver effective sensitisation, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services.
The Minister restated the commitment of government to ensure the full implementation of the National Drug Distribution Guideline (NDDG) by January 1, 2019.
