The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, is a Nigerian federal agency under the Federal Ministry of Health that is responsible for regulating and controlling the manufacture, importation, exportation, advertisement, distribution, sale and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals and packaged water.
The organization was formed in 1993 to check the illicit and counterfeit products in Nigeria under the country’s health and safety law. The formation of NAFDAC was inspired by a 1988 World Health Assembly resolution requesting countries to help in combating the global health threat posed by counterfeit pharmaceuticals.
In December 1992, NAFDAC’s first governing council was formed. On January 1, 1994, NAFDAC was officially established as a “parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Health”. NAFDAC is headed by a chairman who presides over a governing council appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Minister of Health.
Functions of NAFDAC
NAFDAC has various basic functions. According to the requirements of its enabling decree, the Agency is authorized to:
Regulate and control the importation, exportation, manufacture, advertisement, distribution, sale and use of drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, packaged water and chemicals
Conduct appropriate tests and ensure compliance with standard specifications designated and approved by the council for the effective control of quality of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, packaged water, and chemicals.
Undertake the inspection of imported foods, drugs and cosmetics as well as appropriate investigation into the production premises and raw materials for food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, bottled water and chemicals and establish a relevant quality assurance system, including certification of the production sites and of the regulated products
Compile standard specifications, regulations, and guidelines for the production, importation, exportation, sale and distribution of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, bottled water, and chemicals
Undertake the registration of food, drugs, medical devices, bottled water and chemicals.
