NAFDAC enlists 600 pharmacists for National Regulatory Volunteer Programme

NIGERIA—The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has inaugurated its Pharmacists Reserve Volunteer Programme, formally enlisting 600 qualified pharmacists to support regulatory and public health activities across Nigeria.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, NAFDAC Director General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye described the initiative as a strategic investment in the country’s regulatory capacity.

She said the programme would expand the agency’s reach beyond its laboratories and ports of entry to markets, community pharmacies, patent medicine stores, and primary health centres.

Nationwide network of volunteers

NAFDAC selected the 600 pharmacists from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The selection process focused on merit while ensuring geographical representation across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

According to the agency, the programme aims to establish a national reserve of trained and vetted pharmacists who can support regulatory operations when additional personnel are needed.

The volunteers could be deployed during product recalls, outbreaks involving falsified or substandard medicines and public health emergencies, particularly in hard to reach communities.

The pharmacists will support several areas of NAFDAC’s work, including pharmacovigilance, regulatory compliance, quality assurance, data collection, drug abuse sensitisation and enforcement activities.

They will primarily undertake assignments within their respective states, allowing the agency to strengthen its presence at community level.

Four phase implementation

NAFDAC will implement the programme through four phases: onboarding, virtual training, field engagement and ongoing management.

The Narcotics and Controlled Substances Directorate, led by Dr Rametu Momodu, will centrally coordinate the programme.

During the onboarding and training stages, volunteers will receive information and guidance on NAFDAC’s regulatory procedures and their responsibilities within the programme.

They will subsequently participate in field activities under the supervision of NAFDAC officials and contribute to selected regulatory and public health assignments.

The programme will also provide participating pharmacists with opportunities to gain practical regulatory experience.

NAFDAC said volunteers will receive professional certification, formal letters of service and mentorship from experienced agency professionals.

Focus on professional development

The agency said these opportunities will help pharmacists strengthen their professional credentials and gain experience that could support their career development, including when seeking employment, professional licensing or admission to postgraduate programmes.

Prof. Adeyeye urged the volunteers to approach their responsibilities with integrity, discipline and commitment to public health.

She reminded them that their work would contribute directly to protecting Nigerian consumers from unsafe, substandard and falsified medical products.

She also directed NAFDAC directors and state coordinators to ensure that volunteers receive meaningful assignments and appropriate opportunities for professional development.

The agency expects the programme to provide additional regulatory support while building a pool of trained pharmacists who can be mobilised when emerging public health and medicine safety needs arise.

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