The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has called on Nigerians and healthcare providers to promptly report any unusual reactions experienced after taking medicines, receiving vaccines, or using medical devices.
This appeal was made in Lagos on Tuesday during a high-level meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria’s pharmacovigilance systems. Dr. Uchenna Elemuwa, Director of Pharmacovigilance at NAFDAC, expressed serious concern over the country’s low level of awareness and reporting, warning that it poses a major threat to public health.
“In 2024, Nigeria recorded just 4,600 reports of adverse drug reactions. According to World Health Organisation (WHO) benchmarks, we should have at least 46,000. That’s only 10% of the expected number,” she said.
“This is deeply concerning. It suggests that many Nigerians are either unaware that they can report side effects or don’t know how to go about it.”
Elemuwa emphasized that pharmacovigilance the science of detecting, assessing, and preventing adverse effects of medicines is especially vital in regions like Africa, where many global drug trials may not fully represent local populations.
“Patient safety must be the top priority. We can no longer afford a healthcare system where medications are prescribed without monitoring their outcomes,” she added.
She noted that Nigeria operates a national reporting platform called VigiFlow and is an active participant in the WHO’s global drug safety programme. The system allows healthcare professionals and patients to report any suspected adverse reactions for timely review and response.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Odianosen Eliakhamen, Senior Medical Officer at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), cautioned against blind trust in traditional and herbal remedies, stressing that these too can cause harmful effects that must be reported and investigated.
Representing the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Mr. Abdulazeez Yaliya underlined the importance of building public confidence in vaccines and medical treatments, noting that transparency in safety monitoring is essential.
Experts at the meeting reiterated that pharmacovigilance extends beyond medicines to include vaccines, blood products, and even medical devices.
They called for a nationwide effort to raise awareness, strengthen reporting systems, and protect the health of all Nigerians.
