The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has unveiled a mobile application, Greenbook, aimed at helping Nigerians detect counterfeit drugs and medical products.
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, announced the launch on Wednesday at a two-day sensitization workshop in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. She emphasized the agency’s commitment to leveraging technology in the fight against counterfeit medicines, which have become increasingly sophisticated.
The Greenbook app serves as a digital database of registered drug products in Nigeria, allowing users to verify a product’s authenticity by searching for its name, brand, or registration number. If a product appears in the database, it confirms that it has been approved by NAFDAC and is safe for use.
Adeyeye, represented by the Director of Post-Marketing Surveillance at NAFDAC, Fraden Bitrus, noted that Nigeria is the first country in Africa and the second in the world to implement this advanced drug verification technology.
“Counterfeiters have become more sophisticated in advancing their trade. Therefore, the agency is committed to using technology and modern methods to mitigate their activities, making stakeholder sensitization essential,” she said.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Adaeze Oreh, commended NAFDAC’s efforts and assured the state’s collaboration in tackling fake drug circulation. The state has a dedicated task force against counterfeit drugs, working closely with NAFDAC to curb the menace.
NAFDAC’s South-South Director, Oligbu Chukwuma, reaffirmed the agency’s strict monitoring measures, ensuring that coordinators in various states actively combat the spread of substandard medicines.
The Greenbook app is available for download on both the Apple Store and Google Play Store via greenbook.nafdac.gov.ng, allowing Nigerians to take an active role in safeguarding their health.
