NAFDAC Raises Alarm Over Severe Staff Shortage, Calls for Govt Intervention

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has revealed that a critical staff shortage is hampering its ability to perform  regulatory duties effectively.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that NAFDAC Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, addressed the issue of inadequate staffing during a press briefing. She emphasized that while NAFDAC is primarily known for regulating substandard and falsified medicines, the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) also plays a crucial role, particularly in the registration of drug-selling outlets and practitioners.

“PCN is responsible for registering drug-selling sites, whether a small kiosk or large shop, and also the practitioners. But both NAFDAC and PCN face staff shortages, which hinder our ability to reach every corner of the country,” Adeyeye stated.

Adeyeye emphasized the stark disparity in staffing levels compared to other nations.

She noted that Indonesia, with a population of 280 million, has 20,000 staff in its regulatory agency, while Nigeria, with 220 million people, has only 2,000 staff at NAFDAC.

The Director-General urged the government to address the staffing issue to enable the agency to fulfill its mandate more efficiently.

On the ongoing labor union crisis within NAFDAC, Adeyeye clarified that the unions’ demands, including staff promotions, fall under the purview of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOS), not NAFDAC management.

She reiterated that the agency is working closely with PCN to address challenges but stressed that without sufficient personnel, their efforts remain limited.

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