The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has called on Nigerians to support efforts in eliminating counterfeit medical products by utilizing its newly launched verification tool, the Greenbook app.
Speaking at a two-day sensitization workshop in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, emphasized that the Greenbook serves as a comprehensive database of registered drug products in Nigeria, aimed at tackling the increasing sophistication of counterfeiters.
Represented by the Director of Post-Marketing Surveillance, Fraden Bitrus, Adeyeye stated, “Counterfeiters have become more sophisticated in advancing their trade. Therefore, the agency is committed to using technology and modern methods to mitigate their activities, making stakeholder sensitization essential.”
She explained that the Greenbook app allows consumers and healthcare professionals to verify the authenticity of a product by searching for its name, brand, or registration number. If a product appears in the database, it is confirmed as NAFDAC-registered and safe for use.
“The Greenbook serves as a tool to help consumers identify and avoid potentially fake or substandard products. If a drug is not listed, it should be treated as suspicious,” Adeyeye added.
The NAFDAC DG noted that Nigeria is the first African country and the second in the world to adopt this technology, highlighting its significance in the fight against counterfeit medicines.
She urged all stakeholders in the healthcare sector to embrace the initiative to ensure the availability of quality and effective drugs in Nigeria.
In a goodwill message, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, Rivers State Commissioner for Health, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to collaborating with NAFDAC to eliminate fake drugs.
Represented by Quanta Dappa, the state’s Drug and Substance Abuse Control Coordinator, Oreh said, “We are pleased with NAFDAC’s dedication to removing fake drugs from circulation. As a state, we have a task force dedicated to tackling counterfeit and substandard drugs, and NAFDAC plays a crucial role in this team.”
NAFDAC’s Director for the South-South Zone, Oligbu Chukwuma, reiterated that measures are in place to ensure compliance across states within the region.
“State coordinators submit monthly reports, supported with evidence, as part of the anti-counterfeit strategies. As you can see, there is zero tolerance for counterfeit drugs in Nigeria,” Chukwuma told journalists at the event.
The agency encouraged Nigerians to download the Greenbook app via the Apple Store or Google Play Store or access it online at greenbook.nafdac.gov.ng to verify drug authenticity and protect public health.
