NAFDAC sensitises FCT residents on effects of drugs

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sensitised residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on the importance of reporting adverse drug reactions and promoting the rational use of medicines to enhance patient safety and public health.

Speaking at a Pharmacovigilance Sensitisation Programme in Karu, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), the Director of Pharmacovigilance at NAFDAC, Dr Uchenna Elemuwa, said the rational use of medicines remains a critical pillar of effective healthcare delivery, stressing that misuse of drugs poses serious health risks.

The sensitisation was organised by NAFDAC in collaboration with the Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT).

Elemuwa, who was represented by Hauwa Makama, noted that medicines save lives and improve quality of life when properly used, but can become harmful when abused, overused, underused or improperly prescribed.

She cited self-medication, antibiotic misuse, polypharmacy, incorrect dosing, non-adherence to treatment, use of counterfeit medicines, drug sharing and patronage of unauthorised drug vendors as common forms of irrational medicine use.

According to her, these practices contribute to treatment failure, adverse drug reactions, prolonged illness, hospitalisation, increased healthcare costs and avoidable deaths.

She expressed concern over the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), describing it as one of the most serious consequences of irrational medicine use.

“The misuse and overuse of antibiotics have accelerated the emergence of resistant microorganisms that no longer respond to conventional treatment. Infections previously treatable with common antibiotics are becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to manage,” she said.

She explained that pharmacovigilance, the science of detecting, assessing, understanding and preventing adverse effects or other medicine-related problems, plays a vital role in ensuring medicines remain safe and effective after they have been approved and released into the market.

“No medicine is completely free from side effects. However, through effective pharmacovigilance systems, healthcare professionals and patients can identify harmful reactions early, report them appropriately and help regulatory authorities take necessary actions to protect the public,” she said.

In his presentation, Pharm. Abdulmumeen Amoto advised residents against irrational drug use such as taking drugs without doctor or pharmacist’s prescriptions, sharing drugs with others and not completing drug dosage, among others.

Participants were also sensitised on how to identify fake drugs and the various channels through which they can report adverse drug reactions to NAFDAC, which include the yellow forms, Med Safety Mobile App and Vigi Mobile.

Speaking at the event, the Sakaruyi of Karu, Joseph Danfulani described the sensitization programme as timely, while urging NAFDAC and other relevant government agencies to help in addressing the menace of drugs among young people in the area.

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