The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has officially launched the NAFDAC Greenbook app, a new mobile application designed to help Nigerians verify the authenticity of medical products and combat the growing issue of counterfeit drugs. This announcement was made by NAFDAC’s Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, during a two-day sensitization workshop focused on the Greenbook, traceability project, and pediatric policy in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Represented by the Director of the Post-Marketing Surveillance Directorate, Fraden Bitrus, Adeyeye explained that the NAFDAC Greenbook app serves as an online database for registered drug products in Nigeria. Users can verify a product’s authenticity by searching for its name, brand, or registration number. “The NAFDAC Greenbook is a critical tool for tracking and identifying fake drugs. If a product is listed in the Greenbook, it means it has been registered by NAFDAC and is safe for use,” Bitrus stated.
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He emphasized the importance of collaboration among stakeholders, noting that counterfeiters are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their methods. Bitrus revealed that Nigeria is the first country in Africa and the second in the world to implement this technology in the fight against counterfeit drugs. “The Greenbook app is available for download on the Apple Store and Google Play Store via greenbook.nafdac.gov.ng,” he added.
However, Bitrus clarified that newly registered medicines may not be immediately uploaded, as the app will be updated periodically. “We are yet to add cosmetics on the site; for now, it’s just drugs,” he explained.
Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Adaeze Oreh, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to partnering with NAFDAC to eliminate fake drugs. Represented by Quanta Dappa, the Rivers State Coordinator for Drug and Substance Abuse Control, Oreh commended NAFDAC’s leadership in addressing the circulation of unsafe medicines. “As a state, we have a task force dedicated to combating counterfeit drugs, and NAFDAC is a key partner in this effort,” she said.
NAFDAC Director for the South-South Zone, Oligbu Chukwuma, assured attendees that strict measures are in place to ensure the effective implementation of anti-counterfeit strategies. “The fight against counterfeit drugs is a priority,” Chukwuma stated.
At the event, the NAFDAC Greenbook app was demonstrated, showing pharmacists and other attendees how to utilize the platform effectively. This launch marks a significant step forward in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against counterfeit drugs, aiming to protect public health and ensure the safety of medical products in the country.
