Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has set new strategies for the provision of effective regulation of food, drug and chemical sector of the economy. According to reports, while NAFDAC’s mandate covers the food and chemical industry, it is the drug market that draws the most attention. One strategy is the introduction of cutting-edge technology that has provided a more profound method of detecting counterfeits on the spot. Technology like the TRUSCAN machine for example have been deployed by the agency at the ports and entry points of the nation to carry out on-the-spot check of drugs before they are cleared into the country. Other technologies deployed by the agency to fight counterfeiters are the Text Messaging System (Mobile Authentication System) that puts the power of drug detection into the hands of the consumers, who can send a direct message using the code on the drug they are about to purchase to verify whether it is genuine or fake. There are also other additional technologies like the Black Eye and a Radio Frequency System technology. Another strategy introduced by NAFDAC is the WHO-Prequalification pursued by the Agency for Nigerian pharmaceutical companies, according to the Nigerian Tribune.
