The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has expressed concern over its staff shortage, which was limiting the agency’s effectiveness in its regulatory duties.
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC’s Director-General, discussed this challenge during a special interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
She explained that while NAFDAC was often associated with regulating substandard and falsified medicines, the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) was also involved in the process, specifically in the registration of drug-selling sites and practitioners.
However, Adeyeye noted that both agencies were severely understaffed, a situation that impacted their ability to effectively carry out their roles.
She called on the government to address the staffing issue to ensure efficient service delivery.
“PCN is responsible for registering drug-selling sites, whether a small kiosk or large shop, and also the practitioners.
“But both NAFDAC and PCN face staff shortages, which hinder our ability to reach every corner of the country,” she said.
Adeyeye pointed out that while NAFDAC had been working closely with PCN, the staff shortage remained a significant obstacle.
She compared Nigeria’s staffing situation with that of Indonesia, which, with a population of 280 million, had 20,000 staff at its regulatory agency, while Nigeria, with 220 million people, had only 2,000 NAFDAC staff.
On the recent labour union crisis at NAFDAC, Adeyeye clarified that the unions’ demands, including promotions for staff based on the last promotion exam, were beyond the agency’s authority.
She explained that the number of promotions was determined by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOS), not NAFDAC management.
“The Head of Service has the mandate for the number of staff to be promoted.
“It is not something NAFDAC could unilaterally decide.
“After discussions with the unions, and with intervention from the presidency, the issue has been resolved for now,” she said.
Adeyeye added that NAFDAC had continued to support its staff by ensuring timely payment of salaries, allowances, and other benefits.
She also noted that since her appointment, there had been a significant change in the agency, with staff acknowledging the friendly and supportive management.
“Things have changed completely in NAFDAC. The staff knows they have a management that is always on their side,” she concluded.
