DG’s Remarks on the WHO Prequalification of NAFDAC’s Central Drug Control Laboratory (CDCL), Yaba

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is delighted to announce a momentous achievement for the Central Drug Control Laboratory (CDCL) in Yaba, Lagos State, Nigeria. The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially granted WHO Prequalification Status to the CDCL, signifying a milestone in its dedication to ensuring the safety and quality of pharmaceutical products. This was communicated to us through a mail received from WHO Prequalification Inspection team on Friday 15^th September, 2023.

This success was finally published on the WHO website last week and the website address through which the public can cite and reference this was shared with us to for dissemination to the general public.

You can access the information on the prequalification procedure, as well as the list of prequalified quality control laboratories, on the Prequalification Unit – Medicines website https://extranet.who.int/pqweb/medicines

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is Nigeria’s regulatory body responsible for ensuring the safety and quality of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, and other related products. NAFDAC’s mission is to safeguard public health by ensuring that only safe and wholesome products are made available to the Nigerian populace.

This is a huge landmark achievement for the Agency and Nigeria. Very few laboratories in the world have the apex status of WHO Prequalification.

Our journey towards this milestone actually started since year 2010, but with renewed efforts and more commitment to attempts by our management and Federal Government in the last Four years, we have finally achieved this goal.

The WHO Prequalification of the CDCL is a testament to the unwavering commitment of NAFDAC to meeting international standards of excellence in drug quality control and regulation. This prestigious recognition brings numerous benefits to CDCL, NAFDAC, and, most importantly, to the Nigerian people.

Key benefits of the WHO Prequalification of NAFDAC CDCL include:

1. Global Recognition: WHO Prequalification Status is a globally recognized badge of honor that attests to the CDCL’s competence in assuring the quality of pharmaceutical products. It places CDCL among an elite group of laboratories worldwide known for their excellence in drug analysis.
2. Enhanced Pharmaceutical Quality: The prequalification of CDCL ensures that the quality, safety, and efficacy of medicines tested and certified by the laboratory meet the highest international standards. This directly translates to improved access to safe and effective medicines for the Nigerian populace.
3. International Collaboration: CDCL’s new status opens doors to international collaboration with regulatory bodies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and global health organizations. This collaboration will strengthen Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector and contribute to advancing healthcare access in the region.
4. Advancing Public Health: The CDCL plays a pivotal role in safeguarding public health by ensuring that substandard and counterfeit medicines do not reach the market. With WHO Prequalification, its impact in this regard will be even more profound, protecting Nigerian patients from potentially harmful products.
5. Streamlined Regulatory Processes: WHO Prequalification can lead to streamlined regulatory processes, facilitating the faster approval of essential medicines in Nigeria and beyond.
6. Enhanced Credibility: This prestigious status enhances NAFDAC’s credibility on the global stage and reinforces the trust of stakeholders, including pharmaceutical manufacturers, healthcare providers, and patients.
7. Advancing Nigeria’s Healthcare System: The recognition of the NAFDAC CDCL by WHO is a significant milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system, ensuring that Nigerians have access to high-quality healthcare products. For NAFDAC as a regulator, it further enhances our pedigree as we work towards Maturity Level 4, to become a World listed Authority. This achievement would not have been possible without the hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment of the Honourable Minister of Health, NAFDAC management, CDCL staff, NAFDAC management, our esteemed partners such as WHO Nigeria Country Office, USP PQM+ Nigeria Country office and Global Fund,

It underscores our commitment to safeguarding public health and improving healthcare access for all Nigerians.

We are excited about the possibilities that this recognition brings and look forward to continuing our work to uphold the highest standards of pharmaceutical quality control and regulation. NAFDAC remains committed to its mission of safeguarding public health by ensuring that only safe, effective, and quality medicines and healthcare products are available to all Nigerians.

We look forward to leveraging this achievement to strengthen our partnerships, enhance healthcare access, and contribute to the overall improvement of public health in Nigeria and the West African region.

Thank you.
Prof. Mojisola Christianah. Adeyeye Ph.D  FAS
DG NAFDAC