The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, has urged the Rivers State Government to ensure strict implementation of the National Policy on Pharmacovigilance across all health facilities in the state.
The appeal was made during a stakeholders’ meeting themed “Grassroots Community Sensitisation on Pharmacovigilance.” Established in 2012, the policy provides a framework for monitoring the safety of medicines and ensuring that adverse reactions are promptly reported and addressed.
Speaking through Dr Uchenna Elemuwa, Director of NAFDAC’s Pharmacovigilance Directorate, Professor Adeyeye emphasized that the policy outlines the responsibilities of health authorities, healthcare professionals, and patients in safeguarding medicine safety. She called on the state government to engage all levels of healthcare—tertiary, secondary, primary, and private hospitals—to ensure proper documentation of adverse drug reactions.
Professor Adeyeye also expressed concern over the growing problem of drug abuse among young people, warning of its serious consequences and urging parents to monitor their children closely.
Echoing the DG’s message, Rivers State NAFDAC coordinator Emmanuel Onogwu encouraged members of the public to report any unusual or harmful reactions after taking medicines.