NAFDAC Urges Caution on Medicine Use, Tackles Self-Medication Dangers

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has underscored the critical importance of prudent medicine usage as a fundamental approach to enhancing patient well-being and strengthening public health outcomes across Nigeria. During a sensitisation gathering held in Mushin, Lagos, last Wednesday, NAFDAC's Director of Pharmacovigilance, Uchenna Elemuwa, who spoke on behalf of the Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, cautioned that improper medicine use carries significant health hazards.

Elemuwa stated, "Medicines save lives, reduce suffering, prevent complications, and improve quality of life. However, when medicines are misused, overused, underused, or improperly prescribed, they can become dangerous and even life-threatening." She highlighted that the non-rational application of medications persists as a global challenge to public health, pointing to issues like self-medication, the misuse of antibiotics, inaccurate dosage, and the circulation of fake drugs as primary worries. According to her, "These practices contribute significantly to treatment failure, adverse drug reactions, prolonged illness, increased healthcare costs, disability, and avoidable deaths."

Furthermore, Elemuwa pointed out antimicrobial resistance as a severe repercussion stemming from the imprudent use of medicines. "The misuse and overuse of antibiotics have accelerated the emergence of resistant microorganisms. This means infections that were once easily treatable are becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to manage," she explained. The NAFDAC representative underscored the crucial role of pharmacovigilance, defining it as the scientific discipline focused on identifying, evaluating, and averting negative drug reactions. She elaborated, "No medicine is completely free from side effects. However, through effective pharmacovigilance systems, harmful reactions can be identified early and necessary actions taken to protect the public."

Elemuwa implored both healthcare practitioners and the general populace to diligently report any adverse drug reactions, emphasizing that "a single adverse drug reaction report can save thousands of lives." She further advocated for a shared responsibility among all involved parties, such as doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and patients, to guarantee the safe administration of medicines. She concluded, "Patient safety begins with the rational use of medicines. Medicines are meant to heal, not harm."

Delivering his address, the Executive Chairman of Mushin Local Government, Tunbosun Aruwe, explained that the initiative sought to foster medication safety and heighten public health consciousness within the community. He remarked, "As medicines provide immense benefits, they may also cause harmful effects if not properly used or monitored. This is why pharmacovigilance is critical." Aruwe lauded NAFDAC for its dedication to protecting public health and committed his administration's ongoing assistance for health-related projects within the local government area. He affirmed, "Our administration remains committed to providing free medical outreach, building modern primary healthcare centres, and supporting programmes that enhance patient safety and community participation in healthcare."

He encouraged attendees to disseminate the acquired knowledge throughout their respective communities, stating, "Let us all become ambassadors of safe medicine use. Together, we can build a healthier Mushin, a safer Lagos State, and a stronger Nigeria." The sensitisation event successfully gathered healthcare professionals, community leaders, and various other stakeholders with the shared goal of promoting awareness regarding safe medicine practices and reinforcing pharmacovigilance systems across Nigeria.