Anne Ejuka
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against excessive use of antibiotics, saying it accelerates the process of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) which leads to avoidable deaths.
The Director-General of NAFDAC Prof. Moji Adeyeye gave this warning in a statement signed by the agency's resident media consultant Mr. Olusayo Akintola, while speaking during a virtual meeting with stakeholders to mark the 2021 anniversary of World Antimicrobial Resistance Week.
The theme for this year's anniversary is “Spread Awareness, Stop Resistance", where Adeyeye sounded a warning that "the war against AMR has not only gained prominence and global attention but also has 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 to effectively stop resistance".
The NAFDAC boss continued “The step is unique and is expected not only to redirect our way of handling and use of antimicrobial agents but also to yield a significant reduction in the incidence of AMR; "NAFDAC is using the stakeholders’ meeting to mark her participation in the year 2021 World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, targeting professionals in the Healthcare sector, including veterinarians, Animal Husbandry professionals in livestock production, Plant Pathologists, and individuals that use antimicrobial agents,” she said.
Adeyeye expressed dismay over the development and proliferation of AMR, saying that the ability of the pathogenic microorganism to resist the effect of antimicrobial agents when used has compromised the ability of antimicrobials to effectively treat infectious diseases as expected.; According to her, "the emergence and spread of drug - resistant pathogens continue to weaken the health systems,’’ she stressed.
Adeyeye said that the fight against AMR requires collective efforts that are interlinked and inter-phased along with the One - Health Concept, adding that NAFDAC had put in place some important regulatory measures to curb the emergence and spread of AMR.
According to her, “this is necessary and extremely important to ensure food safety, food security, a safe environment, and a healthy citizen in our dear country".
She added that everyone in the healthcare, livestock production and environmental management sub-sector of the economy is directly or indirectly involved in curbing AMR.
Reaffirming NAFDAC’s commitment to ensuring that only safe and wholesome food, drugs, and other regulated products are available to Nigerians, Adeyeye said the agency is now more dedicated to the delivery of quality services to stakeholders thus the agency’s slogan which has been entrenched in the operations of the agency.
The NAFDAC boss went further to seek for strengthened collaboration of the agency with stakeholders, sister ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) both at state and federal levels, towards a more effective regulation and active involvement in creating awareness about AMR.
She said that 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.
She stated that the agency, in fulfilling this mandate towards combating AMR is adding impetus to her regulatory activities through industrial outreach and collaboration with stakeholders as well as fostering synergy within her technical directorates in order to attain a seamless regulatory process and ensure that the distribution and use of regulated products are effectively controlled through robust Post - Marketing Surveillance.