By Muhammad Mamman
Nigeria’s Federal Government has reaffirmed its resolve to fortify pharmaceutical inspections to protect public health, as declared by Health and Social Welfare Minister, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, at the National Pharmaceutical Inspectors’ Workshop in Abuja. Themed “Inspecting for Excellence,” the event spotlighted the urgent need to combat counterfeit and substandard medicines threatening public safety.
Represented by Permanent Secretary Ms. Kachollom Daju, Prof. Pate stressed that robust inspections are vital for ensuring medicines meet global safety and efficacy standards. “Inspectors are our frontline defenders, safeguarding lives by securing our drug supply chain,” he said, praising the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) for driving regulatory reform.
PCN Registrar Pharm. Ibrahim Ahmed highlighted the workshop’s aim to equip inspectors with global best practices and a new Quality Management System to standardise enforcement. Chairperson Pharm. Wosilat Giwa urged inspectors to maintain ethical rigour, while Dr. Nelson Uwaga, workshop chair, flagged challenges like illegal drug markets and unregulated online pharmacies.
Attended by state and federal regulators, academics, and industry leaders, the workshop marks a bold step towards a safer pharmaceutical landscape in Nigeria.
