NAFDAC Appoints New CRIA Agent To Strengthen Fight Against Substandard Medicines.
In a decisive move to curb the influx of substandard and falsified medicines into Nigeria, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has appointed Cotecna Inspection Services as a Clean Report of Inspection and Analysis (CRIA) agent in India. This forms part of an expanded strategy to intensify pre-shipment verification and regulatory oversight of imported pharmaceuticals and other regulated products from India and China.
The announcement, made on Sunday, follows NAFDAC’s recent efforts to rid Nigerian markets of counterfeit drugs, which included the seizure and destruction of over ₦1 trillion worth of expired and substandard medicines from key commercial hubs in Idumota, Onitsha, and Aba.
Speaking at a technical meeting in Lagos, NAFDAC Director General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, described the CRIA initiative as a vital instrument in the agency’s toolkit against the global menace of fake medicines – a problem that disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria.
“The appointment of Cotecna is a significant step in reinforcing our pre-shipment inspection framework,” said Prof Adeyeye. “We must ensure only products that meet our quality and safety standards reach the Nigerian market.”
Under the CRIA scheme, agents are responsible for inspecting product quality, packaging, and labelling, conducting random testing, verifying regulatory documentation, and flagging non-compliance. Laboratories based in India and China are used to test products before they are cleared for export to Nigeria. Only shipments that pass these rigorous checks are permitted to enter the country.
Adeyeye also revealed that a recent performance review of CRIA agents led to the disengagement of one agent, the renewal of contracts with two others, and the onboarding of two new agents in India, including Cotecna. She emphasised that all regulated products – except those on the exemption list – must undergo the CRIA process.
To further enhance transparency and efficiency, NAFDAC has introduced the Ports Inspection Data Capture and Risk Management System (PIDCARMS), an electronic platform designed to verify documentation, process inspection reports, and monitor compliance at the ports.
The Director General issued a strong warning against attempts to reintroduce rejected consignments into Nigeria. She disclosed that NAFDAC is in talks with the Indian government to track rejected products and prevent their backdoor entry into the country.
“We want to know what happens to medicines rejected in India. NAFDAC will not allow such products to find their way into Nigeria again,” she asserted.
Lena Sodergren, Vice President of Verification of Conformity and Africa at Cotecna, pledged the company’s full commitment to upholding international standards. She praised the CRIA scheme as the most comprehensive regulatory framework for food, drug, and cosmetic products in Africa, citing its success in eliminating fake certifications and non-compliant shipments.
Olakunle Olaniran, Director of the Ports Inspection Directorate, also commended the impact of the CRIA initiative, revealing that close to 200 consignments have already been intercepted at the point of origin due to failed lab tests, tampered documents, or suspicious activities.
With this renewed commitment and international collaboration, NAFDAC continues to strengthen Nigeria’s defences against the dangers of substandard medicines, reinforcing public health and consumer safety.
