KEY POINTS
- NAFDAC launches the Greenbook app to help Nigerians detect fake drugs.
- The app provides real-time verification of a drug’s authenticity.
- Stakeholders are encouraged to support the fight against counterfeit medicines.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is stepping up its efforts to combat counterfeit medical products in Nigeria by launching a new verification tool—the Greenbook app.
This innovative app helps Nigerians easily verify medication authenticity and avoid the dangers of counterfeit drugs.
Speaking at the launch event during a two-day sensitization and awareness workshop in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, NAFDAC Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye urged Nigerians to embrace technology as a powerful tool in the fight against fake medicines.
Adeyeye, represented by Fraden Bitrus, Director of the Post-Marketing Surveillance Directorate, explained that counterfeiters have become more sophisticated in their operations.
He emphasized the need for the agency to adopt modern solutions.
“Counterfeiters have become more advanced, so the agency is committed to using technology to mitigate their activities. Stakeholder sensitization is essential for this fight,” Bitrus said.
The Greenbook app functions as an extensive online database to verify drug registration status through product name entries, brand names, or registration numbers.
If the database shows the product, NAFDAC has registered it and considers it authentic.
Adeyeye highlighted that Nigeria is the first country in Africa to deploy this kind of technology.
He noted that it is also the second in the world, positioning the nation as a leader in the fight against counterfeit medicines.
Greenbook app to enhance drug safety and transparency
The Greenbook is not just a verification tool but a significant step towards ensuring transparency and safety in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector.
Adeyeye called on stakeholders across the healthcare industry to support initiatives aimed at eliminating substandard and falsified medical products.
“We must work together to ensure the provision of quality, safe, and effective medicines for Nigerians. The Greenbook will help consumers identify and avoid potentially fake or substandard products,” she said.
Adaeze Oreh, Rivers State Commissioner for Health, echoed this sentiment. She praised NAFDAC for its commitment to safeguarding public health and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to supporting anti-counterfeit initiatives.
“As a state, we have a task force focused on combating counterfeit and substandard drugs. NAFDAC is an integral part of this team, and we are committed to clamping down on individuals who endanger lives through the circulation of unsafe products,” Oreh said.
Zero tolerance for counterfeit drugs in Nigeria
NAFDAC’s Director for the South-South Zone, Oligbu Chukwuma, reinforced the agency’s zero-tolerance stance towards counterfeit drugs.
According to Punch, he stated that measures are already in place to ensure that state coordinators actively implement strategies to curb the spread of counterfeit medical products.
Chukwuma emphasized that regular monitoring and reporting are essential. “I visit the states, and they submit monthly reports on their activities, supported by evidence. This is all part of our anti-counterfeit measures,” he explained.
He encouraged Nigerians to download the Greenbook app from the Apple Store and Google Play Store. They can also access it directly through greenbook.nafdac.gov.ng.
NAFDAC is urging the public to utilize this resource to ensure they only purchase registered and safe medicines.
By doing so, consumers can protect their health and contribute to the broader fight against counterfeit drugs in Nigeria.
