The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sounded a warning about the spread of low-quality and counterfeit medications in Nigeria, which presents a serious risk to public health.

Bala Mshelia, director of NAFDAC’s North West Zone, warned at a community sensitization workshop in Kaduna on Friday, ‘We are maximizing efforts to curb the menace of substandard and falsified medicines in the state.”

Mshelia identified specific targeted medicines, including Fansidar 25/500mg and Combiart 20/120mg (antimalarials), Oheal ampicillin, and cloxacillin capsules (antibiotics), along with additional medications for hypertension, diabetes, and lifestyle diseases.

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“The fight against substandard and falsified medicines cannot be won in isolation. It requires collaboration between government agencies, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, and the public,” Mshelia emphasised

“As we proceed with this workshop, let us remember that the fight against substandard and falsified medicines cannot be won in isolation.

“It requires collaboration between government agencies, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, and the public. Together, we can create a future where every medicine on the shelf is safe, genuine, and beneficial to the health of our communities,” he said.

Sunday Ukoh, the Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, expressed his commitment by saying, “We must be on the lookout to do the needful.”

Abosede Garba, Vice Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists, stated, ““As frontline healthcare providers, pharmacists bear a crucial responsibility in combating this challenge. We must be vigilant, proactive, and steadfast in promoting safe medication use.”

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has enhanced its monitoring efforts, regulatory measures, educational initiatives, and public awareness campaigns to protect public health.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed seven deaths from a suspected cholera outbreak in Adamawa State.

NEMA disclosed this in a post it shared on its X account on Tuesday morning, adding that the suspected cholera outbreak occurred in the Yola North Local Government Areas (LGA) of Adamawa State.

According to the agency, the suspected cholera outbreak which it has responded to affected the communities of Alkalawa, Doubeli, Rumde and Gwadabawa.

“As of Monday, September 16, 2024, 71 patients have been hospitalized with over 100 under observation and seven confirmed deaths,” it wrote.

“The outbreak is attributed to a recent flood disaster that contaminated the primary drinking water source.

“Due to the overflow at the isolation center, some patients are being transferred to the Federal Medical Centre.”

NEMA along with the Adamawa State government has initiated emergency measures including chlorinating toilets and providing water treatment to reduce the spread of infection.

The agency said it has also conducted community education to raise awareness about the disease.

NEMA added that its officials are closely monitoring the situation and co-ordinating with stakeholders for timely intervention.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said it has confirmed 55 suspected cases of Mpox.

The NCDC said the 55 cases of Mpox were
out of 935 across 39 local government areas (LGAs) in 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Nigeria.

NCDC disclosed this in a report on its official website, noting that no death has been recorded from the disease so far in 2024.

The report, however, revealed that 70 per cent of the reported cases were males while the remaining 30 per cent were females.

“The age distribution of confirmed Mpox cases revealed that 19 cases were recorded in ages 0-10, eight cases in ages 11-20 and 12 cases in ages 21-30,” the report read.

“Additionally, eight cases were recorded in ages 31-40, seven cases in ages 41-50 and one case in an individual aged 50 and above.

“The breakdown of the confirmed cases include eight from Enugu, six from Bayelsa, six from Akwa-Ibom, five from Cross River, three from Delta, three from Benue and three from Plateau.

“Others are: Osun (two), Imo (two), FCT (two), Anambra (two), Rivers (two), Abia (two) while Lagos, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Edo, Ebonyi, Zamfara, Oyo, Kaduna and Niger had one case each.

“Since September 2017, 4,752 suspected cases have been reported from 36 states and the FCT with 1,141 confirmed cases (24.0 per cent) from 35 States and the FCT with 17 deaths. Males (70 per cent) are predominantly affected.”

The Rivers State Government has announced that it is set to partner with Canada to boost its healthcare delivery.

Governor Sim Fubara made the announcement in a post he shared on his verified X account on Monday night.

“We are excited about our upcoming collaboration with Canada as we met with the Canadian High Commissioner, Mr. James Christoff to discuss boosting Rivers State’s healthcare delivery,” Fubara said.

The governor added that the state is also leveraging on its natural resources for development.

“We look forward to exploring these opportunities and enhancing our partnership,” he concluded.

The Rivers State Ministry of Health has, meanwhile, called on residents to ensure that they don’t stop making their well-being a top priority.

“September is here. As we welcome this new month, let us continue to make our health and well-being a top priority. September is #WorldAlzheimersMonth,” the Ministry of Health wrote on X.

“Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, a devastating condition that affects millions of people over 65 worldwide. This year’s theme is ‘Time to Act on Dementia, Time to Act on Alzheimer’s’.

“We join the global community to raise awareness and challenge the stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s and all types of dementia.

“Do you know anyone affected by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia? How aware are you of the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s?

“What misconceptions or stigmas have you encountered about Alzheimer’s or dementia?
What can we do as a community to support people living with the disease and their families?

“In the weeks leading up to WorldAlzheimersDay on September 21, we will be sharing important information about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.”

The Rivers State Ministry of Health said that by increasing awareness and understanding, it can break down the stigma associated with it and create a more supportive environment for people living with dementia and their families.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday revealed that it needs the sum of $87.4 million to combat the dreaded mpox disease.

According to the organisation, the money is required to implement critical activities outlined in the global Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP), which was released on August 26, 2024.

“The SPRP is a comprehensive framework developed by WHO to guide global response to Mpox, emphasising surveillance, research, equitable access to medical countermeasures and community empowerment,” the global health body said.

“Following the declaration of a global emergency on August 14, WHO needs 87.4 million dollars over six months (September 2024 to February 2025) to work with countries, partners and other stakeholders to stop the current outbreak of mpox.

“The required funds will be used across WHO headquarters and regional and country offices to coordinate the responses, provide technical assistance, run operations and deliver medical supplies.”

WHO has also solicited the support of donors to fund the full extent of the Mpox response to prevent further spread and protect those at risk.

It further said that to fight the outbreak, strategic vaccination efforts will target high-risk individuals.

On Friday, the World Health Organization (WHO) called on vaccine producers to increase the output of mpox vaccines to control the spread of a more severe strain of the virus.

On Wednesday, the WHO announced that the mpox outbreak is now a public health emergency of international concern—their most serious alert level—following a surge in Clade 1b cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo that are now spreading to other regions.

“We do need the manufacturers to really scale up so that we’ve got access to many, many more vaccines,” WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris told reporters.

The WHO is urging nations with mpox vaccine reserves to contribute them to countries currently experiencing outbreaks.

Two vaccines for mpox have been utilized in recent years: MVA-BN, developed by the Danish pharmaceutical company Bavarian Nordic, and LC16, produced in Japan.

Harris mentioned that 500,000 doses of MVA-BN are currently available, with the potential to manufacture an additional 2.4 million doses rapidly, provided there is a confirmed demand.

By 2025, up to 10 million more doses could be produced if there is a definite order for them.

AFP