The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians about the serious health and social consequences associated with excessive alcohol consumption.
The agency’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, raised the concern during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, where she also highlighted longstanding regulatory challenges within Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector.
According to a report by The Guardian, Adeyeye said weak regulation over the years had contributed to the circulation of substandard and falsified medicines, some of which she said were produced locally.
She explained that the country’s pharmaceutical sector had previously operated without adequate adherence to international standards, while weaknesses in the regulation of patent medicine dealers contributed to the growth of open drug markets.
Adeyeye said NAFDAC was working to address these longstanding problems but acknowledged that challenges that had developed over several decades could not be eliminated overnight.
The agency has also expressed concern over the widespread availability of alcoholic beverages in small sachets and other easily accessible forms, warning that such packaging could encourage excessive consumption, particularly among young people and other vulnerable groups.
NAFDAC stressed that prolonged alcohol abuse can damage vital organs, including the liver and kidneys, while also contributing to wider social problems and increasing pressure on families and the healthcare system.
The agency called for stronger regulatory enforcement and greater public awareness to reduce the risks associated with harmful consumption patterns.
NAFDAC further urged Nigerians to exercise caution in their consumption of alcohol and other products capable of posing risks to public health.
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