Finally, FG Bans Production of Cough Syrups Containing Codeine…
Saraki: Prevalence of drug abuse is looming catastrophe
Following the high incidence of drug abuse in the country, the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) Tuesday directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to ban, with immediate effect, further issuance of permits for the importation of codeine as an active pharmaceutical ingredient for cough preparations.
The federal government’s ban is coming at a time the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki has warned that the widespread nature of drug abuse among young Nigerians, is a catastrophe waiting to happen.
The Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole made this known in his office in Abuja on Tuesday, May 1, 2018.
He said that the directive became necessary due to the gross abuse of codeine usage has been subjected to in the country, especially in Northern Nigeria.
In its stead, the minister said codeine-containing cough syrups should be replaced with dextromethorphan which is less addictive.
He also directed the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, (PCN) and NAFDAC to supervise the recall for labelling and audit trailing of all codeine-containing cough syrups in the country, while he has also banned the sales of Codeine-containing cough syrup without prescription across the country.
He noted that NAFDAC had an emergency meeting with the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group (PMGMAN) to inform them that there is an embargo on all new applications for registration of codeine-containing cough syrups as well as applications for renewal has been abolished.
The PCN has been directed to continue enforcement activities at pharmacies, patent and proprietary medicine vendors' shops and outlets throughout the country.
NAFDAC was also directed to fully carry out its functions among others: to regulate and control the manufacturing, distribution and sale of drugs, including inspection at points of entry of drugs, drug products and food for compliance with the new directive.
The minister stated that the FMOH shall ensure collaboration among regulatory agencies namely, NAFDAC, PCN, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), for effective implementation of extant Acts, regulations, policies and guidelines on codeine control and usage.
‘Furthermore, these agencies shall work together to increase pharmacovigilance around codeine, tramadol and other related substances of abuse,’ Adewole stated.
Already, NAFDAC has developed IEC materials that will be used in an already planned national campaign against drug abuse, an awareness programme that includes Young Pharmacists Group of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria. This will soon be flagged off in Kano and Lagos.
As a way of discouraging youths to shun the drugs, the Federal Government through Federal Ministry of Health shall partner with National Orientation Agency ( NOA), Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), football celebrities, members of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Performing Musicians of Nigeria and other celebrities to drive national campaign against drug abuse.
‘The FMOH shall ensure that Drug treatment intervention for victims of substances abuse shall be undertaken across the spectrum of healthcare delivery system in the country,’ Adewole stated.
He stated that civil society organisations shall be strengthened to deliver effective sensitization, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services.
Recalled that in view of the serious public health concerns drugs abuse poses to Nigerians, a working group which comprised of experts from various ministries, agencies of government (including regulatory agencies), Development Partners and Associations was constituted in January and tagged Codeine Control and other Related Matters Working Group (CCRWG).
The CCRWG was formally inaugurated on January 23, 2018, with clear terms of reference of developing key recommendations and strategies to address the menace of codeine, tramadol and other related substances in Nigeria.
The CCRWG submitted its interim report on April 12, 2018, and recommended short-, medium- and long-term measures for implementation in a memorandum submitted to the Minister, yesterday.
Finally, Adewole restated the commitment of the federal government to ensure the full implementation of the National Drug Distribution Guideline (NDDG) by January 01, 2019 and closure of all open drug markets penultimate the implementation date of the NDDG that is, December 31, 2018. It is a public knowledge that easy access to codeine, tramadol and other substances of abuse is promoted by the chaotic drug distribution system
In the same vein, the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki has warned that the widespread nature of drug abuse among young Nigerians, is a catastrophe waiting to happen.
Saraki in a statement issued Tuesday commended the documentary titled 'Sweet, Sweet Codeine' by BBC Africa: Africa Eye, which detailed the prevalence of drug and substance abuse in Nigeria.
In the statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sanni Onogu, Saraki said such documentaries are real-life attestations on the need for Nigeria to take its drug abuse problem more seriously.
He recalled that the scourge informed the recent stakeholder roundtable on drug abuse, convened by the Senate in Kano State.
“Even though I have been working on this issue for a few months now, watching the BBC documentary was another eye-opener. Nigerians can now see that if care is not taken, we could be sitting on a catastrophe. We cannot all just fold our arms and expect this issue to fix itself. This is everybody's problem," Saraki said.
“As things stand, following the Roundtable on Drug Abuse that held in Kano in December 2017, we have already developed a draft Legislative framework for the control of narcotics and psychotropic substances and the provision of mental health and substance use services in Nigeria," he added.
The Senate President also disclosed that the Drug Control Bill set to be introduced at the National Assembly, will strengthen the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) and other relevant law enforcement and regulatory bodies, eradicate the illicit production and trafficking of controlled substances.
“While the Mental Health Bill will ensure the availability of mental health and substance abuse services in every state, as well as guarantee the enforcement of minimum standards of care for people with mental health disorders," Saraki added.
He also stated that Nigeria cannot expect to tackle mental health issues with just one psychiatrist for 1.6 million citizens.
"This legislative framework that we are preparing recognizes the low number of mental health practitioners in the country, and works to rectify that problem by ensuring that quality mental health and substance abuse services are available for this underserved segment of the population," Saraki said.