In a strategic move to combat the persistent threat of counterfeit medicines in Nigeria, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched two innovative digital verification tools targeted at safeguarding public health in the North-East region.
During a two-day sensitisation workshop held in Gombe State, NAFDAC officially unveiled the “Scan to Verify” and “Green Book App”—two mobile-based solutions designed to empower healthcare providers, drug retailers, and consumers to authenticate medicines with ease. The event attracted stakeholders from across the pharmaceutical and medical sectors, including patent medicine vendors, pharmacists, healthcare professionals, and regulators.
Representing NAFDAC Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director of Post-Marketing Surveillance, Mr. Bitrus Fraden, reiterated the agency’s commitment to eradicating fake drugs from the Nigerian market. Fraden emphasized that all drugs certified by NAFDAC are safe, effective, and must only be sourced from verified channels.
According to NAFDAC, the Green Book App operates as a comprehensive digital registry containing a list of all NAFDAC-approved pharmaceutical products. Through the app, users can search for any medicine and confirm its approval status. Any product not appearing in the registry is considered unregistered or potentially counterfeit.
The Scan to Verify tool, on the other hand, enables users to scan QR codes or barcodes on product packaging using a smartphone to instantly confirm whether a drug is NAFDAC-registered. This on-the-spot verification mechanism aims to deter counterfeiters and equip consumers with an easy way to verify their medicines before use.
“These tools are part of our broader strategy to promote drug security and safeguard lives,” Fraden said. “Counterfeit drugs pose a deadly threat, especially in conflict-prone and underserved regions like the North-East. We are prioritising public safety through digital innovation.”
Participants at the Gombe workshop commended NAFDAC’s proactive efforts. Yakubu Yusuf, a patent medicine dealer, said the tools will significantly ease the process of identifying fake products in the market. Another participant, Hauwa Musa, applauded the user-friendly nature of the mobile apps and urged the agency to expand awareness across all rural communities in the region.
NAFDAC used the workshop to reinforce its crackdown on counterfeit drug markets operating in major hubs such as Lagos, Onitsha, and Kano. The agency confirmed that several illicit drug outlets have already been sealed, with enforcement teams deployed across the country to monitor compliance.
Professor Adeyeye also highlighted the importance of public awareness and collaboration with healthcare providers, saying, “Every Nigerian has a role to play in the fight against fake drugs. Always verify before you consume or prescribe any medication.”
Despite the promising nature of the new tools, challenges remain in terms of widespread adoption, especially in rural and low-income areas with limited smartphone penetration. NAFDAC officials at the event assured that future workshops and community-based outreach programmes would address these gaps.
The agency is also working with telecom providers and IT firms to ensure that the apps are data-friendly and accessible even in areas with poor internet coverage. Additionally, NAFDAC plans to collaborate with traditional and religious leaders to drive adoption and community buy-in across the North-East.
With rising cases of drug falsification and the growing complexity of counterfeit networks, NAFDAC’s introduction of mobile verification tools marks a pivotal shift in Nigeria’s public health defence strategy. If successfully implemented, these digital tools could save thousands of lives and restore public confidence in the healthcare system.
The agency has urged Nigerians to download the Green Book App and use the Scan to Verify feature as part of their routine health safety practices.