The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has called on the Rivers State Government to intensify efforts toward full implementation of the National Policy on Pharmacovigilance in all public and private health facilities, particularly through increased awareness in schools and community institutions.
Speaking at a grassroots sensitisation programme in Port Harcourt, the Director of Pharmacovigilance, Dr Uchenna Elemuwa, who represented the Director-General, stressed that the policy, developed by the Federal Ministry of Health, clearly outlines the responsibilities of all stakeholders in ensuring medicine safety and requires every health institution to adopt structured reporting of adverse drug reactions.
She noted that improving knowledge and compliance at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels remained critical to safeguarding public health.
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Dr Elemuwa emphasised that awareness creation should not be limited to health professionals, adding that schools must become a major focus in the campaign against drug misuse.
She expressed concern over the rise in drug abuse among young people and urged teachers, parents, and guardians to be more observant and proactive in protecting children from harmful substances.
The programme brought together health institutions, representatives of the Rivers State Ministry of Health, NAFDAC Corps Members CDS group, and community stakeholders.
Participants discussed the importance of robust medicine safety practices, while Corps members staged a drama performance highlighting the dangers of drug misuse and the role of early education in prevention.
NAFDAC reiterated its commitment to partnership with schools, communities, and health authorities to strengthen medicine safety systems and curb the growing threat of drug abuse in the state.
