Misusing medicines can turn a lifesaver into a life-threatening risk and NAFDAC says it’s time Nigerians took that seriously.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is sounding the alarm on medicine misuse, calling the rational use of drugs vital for patient safety and stronger public health outcomes across Nigeria.

Speaking at a sensitisation programme in Mushin, Lagos, on Wednesday, NAFDAC’s Director of Pharmacovigilance, Uchenna Elemuwa, didn’t mince words. Representing Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, she warned that misusing medicines comes with serious health risks.

“Medicines save lives, reduce suffering, prevent complications, and improve quality of life,” Elemuwa said. “However, when medicines are misused, overused, underused, or improperly prescribed, they can become dangerous and even life-threatening.”

Elemuwa pointed out that irrational drug use is a global public health headache. Self-medication, antibiotic abuse, incorrect dosing and counterfeit drugs are all on the worry list. The consequences? Treatment failure, nasty drug reactions, prolonged illness, higher healthcare costs, disability and even avoidable deaths.

One of the biggest threats, she noted, is antimicrobial resistance, a direct fallout from irrational medicine use.

That’s where pharmacovigilance comes in. Elemuwa described it as the science of detecting, assessing and preventing adverse drug effects. She urged both healthcare professionals and the public to report adverse drug reactions promptly, stressing that “a single adverse drug reaction report can save thousands of lives.”

Her message was clear: safe medicine use is everyone’s responsibility. Doctors, pharmacists, nurses and patients all have a role to play. “Patient safety begins with the rational use of medicines. Medicines are meant to heal, not harm,” she stated.

Also speaking at the event, Mushin Local Government Executive Chairman Tunbosun Aruwe said the programme was designed to boost medication safety and public health awareness at the grassroots.

He praised NAFDAC for its work safeguarding public health and promised continued support for healthcare initiatives in the area.

“Our administration remains committed to providing free medical outreach, building modern primary healthcare centres, and supporting programmes that enhance patient safety and community participation in healthcare,” Aruwe said.

He encouraged participants to take the message home: “Let us all become ambassadors of safe medicine use. Together, we can build a healthier Mushin, a safer Lagos State, and a stronger Nigeria.”

The sensitisation brought together healthcare professionals, community leaders and other stakeholders to raise awareness of safe medicine practices and strengthen Nigeria’s pharmacovigilance systems.

#NAFDAC #PatientSafety #Pharmacovigilance #MedicineSafety #NigeriaHealth #StopSelfMedication #AntimicrobialResistance #PublicHealth #Lagos #Mushin