NAFDAC Gets Latest Model of 1260 Agilent HPLC Analyzer to Fight Counterfeiting

National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC yesterday procured the latest model of 1260 series of Agilent High Performance Liquid Chromatography, Agilent HPLC, as part of efforts to boost its capacity in tracking circulation of fake products.

The equipment donated by the Bank of Industry, BOI, will avail the agency opportunity to work with high output and sensitive instrument with multiple detectors.  The Agilent HPLC, which can handle all products, is also designed to improve timelines of analysis of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, veterinary and other NAFDAC regulated products.

At the presentation of the equipment in Lagos, Acting Director-General of NAFDAC, Mrs. Yetunde Oni said the new equipment will assist the agency to detect substandard and falsified medical products as well as unwholesome foods.

According to Oni, the agency is dedicated to ensuring that only the right quality food, drugs and other regulated products are manufactured, exported, imported, advertised, sold and used in Nigeria.

“We are also committed to ensuring quality and timely releases of laboratory reports, hence our quest for top notch laboratories with adequate equipment and well trained staff to perform optimally at all time.”

Speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs. Binta Bello noted that the partnership between BOI and NAFDAC will serve as a precursor for further collaboration between the heath sector and other sectors of the economy towards repositioning the health sector.

“The problem of fake drug proliferation in Nigeria has affected the credibility of the healthcare system and has exerted very harmful effects on the consumer resulting to illness, disability and even death.”

On his part, Acting Managing Director of BOI, Mr. Waheed Olagunju said that the support was in line with the President Muhammadu Buhari administration for a better Nigeria.

“This is the beginning of greater ties between both organisations to strengthen the regulatory operations and promote ease of doing business in Nigeria.” The equipment is worth N45 million Naira.