NAFDAC Launches Mobile Tools to Fight Fake Drugs in Nigeria’s North-East 

NAFDAC DG, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched two new mobile tools—Scan 2 Verify and the Green Book App—to tackle the spread of counterfeit drugs, particularly in Nigeria’s North-East region. 

The tools were unveiled at a two-day sensitization workshop held in Gombe, bringing together key stakeholders including pharmaceutical vendors, healthcare workers, and medical doctors. 

How the Tools Work 

The Scan 2 Verify system allows users to scan drug packaging and confirm its authenticity instantly. Meanwhile, the Green Book App provides a digital list of certified medicines registered with NAFDAC. If a medicine is not listed in the app, it is considered unapproved or counterfeit. 

Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC’s Director-General (represented by Bitrus Fraden, Director of Post-Marketing Surveillance), emphasized that only drugs registered with NAFDAC are considered safe and should be bought from legitimate sources. 

Positive Response from Stakeholders 

Participants at the workshop, including patent medicine dealers and shop owners like Yakubu Yusuf and Hauwa Musa, welcomed the initiative. They described it as a timely and important step toward reducing the risks posed by fake and substandard medicines in their communities. 

The training highlighted the need for drug sellers and buyers alike to adopt the new technology to protect public health and ensure only genuine products are in circulation. 

“Every Nigerian has the right to safe and genuine medicines. With these new tools, we are putting the power of verification in the hands of the people.” 

— Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General, NAFDAC 

Nationwide Efforts to End Counterfeit Drug Sales 

NAFDAC also mentioned its ongoing nationwide efforts to shut down fake drug markets, especially in known hotspots such as Lagos and Onitsha. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that Nigerians have access to safe, quality-assured medicines. 

With the launch of Scan 2 Verify and the Green Book App, NAFDAC is equipping Nigerians with powerful tools to fight fake drugs. By simply scanning a product or checking its listing on the app, consumers can make better, safer choices. This innovation is a vital step in protecting public health and should be embraced by all—from healthcare professionals to everyday citizens.