The ongoing strike by workers of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has created significant challenges for pharmaceutical manufacturers, leading to delays in clearing goods at ports. The Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Oluwatosin Jolayemi, highlighted the adverse impact of the strike, especially for those trying to clear goods at the ports.
NAFDAC workers began the indefinite strike due to unresolved staff welfare issues, causing concerns over the potential influx of substandard drugs into the Nigerian healthcare system. The inability to clear goods at the ports is a widespread issue facing manufacturers in various industries, not just pharmaceuticals.
Pharmacists and industry stakeholders have raised serious health risks associated with the strike, warning about the potential for substandard medicines entering the market. The former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Olumide Akintayo, urged swift resolution of the strike to avoid further disruptions in the healthcare sector.
It is essential for NAFDAC management and workers to address their concerns promptly to prevent compromising public health and ensure the uninterrupted regulation of drugs, food, and medical devices in Nigeria.