Influx Of Unregistered Synringes Into Nigeria Worries NAFDAC

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, (NAFDAC), has expressed worry over the influx of unregistered medical syringes into the country, alleging that intelligence reports showed that some customs officials and agents are compromising at the port of entry.
The Director-General, of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye urged  members of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, (ANLCA), to think more of the interest of the country over and above personal gains in their activities as clearing agents at the nation’s ports.
Adeyeye noted with regret that due to a compromise at the port of entry, illegal importation of unregistered containers of syringes is being allowed into the country.
Speaking during a familiarisation visit by the newly inaugurated executives of the ANLCA, led by its National President, Mr. Emenike Nwokochi, Adeyeye narrated to them how she marvelled at the stupendous investments committed to local production of syringes in Nigeria by a local pharmaceutical company during a recent facility tour.
She said that the standard of the facilities she met on the ground was comparable to whatever facility could be found in the US or any country in Europe.  Adeyeye added that after the facility tour and being led into the warehouse, she was highly disturbed at the sight of huge unsold products.
She said: “Over 1.5 billion units of the product were lying untouched in the warehouse due to low sales, exacerbated by the influx of imported syringes into the country, despite the high import duty slammed on the product to protect the local market.”
Adeyeye revealed that a publication by the USFDA stated that some syringes that come from Southeast Asia are of bad quality, adding that those products didn’t fly by night and land in different
”I understand the challenges of not making sales, especially after investing a significant amount of money. That’s why I am particularly meticulous when it comes to overseeing our export processes.”
As licensed customs agents, she emphasized their pivotal role in facilitating the legal and safe import and export of goods, ensuring compliance with required standards.
She said the familiarisation visit was to establish effective collaboration and cooperation.
“The aim is to enhance the positioning and promotion of trade in regulated products, both domestically and in the international market”.
‘’Nigeria has lost billions of naira in trade that could have benefitted our people. About 70 per cent of our exports are rejected, food products especially. All these rejected products did not go through NAFDAC regulatory assessment.  It disgraces us as a country.’’
She said further, that it has also become a great issue of concern the number of substandard products coming into the country. “That’s why I attach significant importance to this association because the goods that are either imported or exported often play a crucial role in determining the strength of our economy.”
In the area of Exports, she said the international market is competitive and only welcomes products of high quality with relevant certifications and quality packaging that is environmentally friendly and beneficial to trade globally, noting with dismay that the problem of quality, standard, certification and appropriate packaging for made-in-Nigeria products destined for export has been an issue in the international market.