The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a stern warning about the misuse of antibiotics in humans and animals, citing its role in the growing global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
At the close of the 2024 World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, hosted in collaboration with the Royal Danish Embassy and Denmark’s Ministry of Environment and Food, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, highlighted the devastating consequences of AMR.
“Improper antibiotic use—such as not completing prescribed dosages or consuming animals treated with antibiotics before the drugs clear their systems—fuels resistance,” Adeyeye stated. “This makes antibiotics ineffective, endangering human health. Responsible use is crucial to mitigating this crisis.”
Themed *“Educate, Advocate, Act Now”*, the awareness week focused on educating pharmacists, veterinarians, and other stakeholders about the responsible use of antibiotics.
Prof. Adeyeye emphasized the need for accountability in drug usage, urging the public to obtain receipts when purchasing antibiotics to enhance traceability. She also advised veterinarians and butchers to allow adequate withdrawal periods after administering antibiotics to animals before slaughtering them.
“Antimicrobial resistance is reversing decades of medical progress,” she warned. “It threatens routine surgeries, common infection treatments, and even newborn survival due to drug-resistant bacteria. This crisis endangers human, animal, and environmental health on an unprecedented scale.”
The spread of AMR, she explained, is fueled by the misuse of antimicrobials, substandard or falsified drugs, and improper handling practices. NAFDAC has implemented regulatory measures to identify and address these issues.
Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, Jens Ole Bach Hansen, stressed the need for global collaboration in tackling AMR. “Bacteria know no boundaries,” he said. “NAFDAC’s effectiveness in addressing AMR has enabled us to share expertise and tackle similar challenges through our partnership.”
The event called for stronger international cooperation, greater public awareness, and decisive action to counter the rising AMR threat.
