NAFDAC Slams AIT Over Misleading Report, Demands Retraction and Apology

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a stern rebuke to Africa Independent Television (AIT) over a misleading report that falsely implicated the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) in the circulation of fake medicines.

The Agency has demanded an immediate public retraction and apology, warning that failure to comply could lead to regulatory and legal action.

The controversy stems from a report aired by AIT under the headline “NAFDAC IMPLICATES PHARMACY COUNCIL OF NIGERIA IN FAKE MEDICINES,” which NAFDAC described as a “gross misrepresentation” of facts.

The report followed a press interview granted by NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, on 1st March 2025, during which she discussed the regulatory roles of NAFDAC and PCN in ensuring pharmaceutical safety.

In a statement released at the weekend, NAFDAC clarified that the Director-General’s remarks were focused on the historical challenges of regulating Patent and Proprietary Medicines Vendors (PPMVs), a task complicated by fragmented oversight and legal disputes.

“At no point was PCN accused of complicity in the circulation of fake medicines,” the Agency emphasised. “The Director-General’s comments were aimed at providing a legal, regulatory, and historical perspective on the roles of both organisations in safeguarding public health.”

NAFDAC expressed deep concern over the potential impact of the misleading report, stating that it could undermine the collaborative efforts of the two agencies.

“The erroneous headline published by AIT was a distortion and falsification of the facts. It was misleading and could harm the joint efforts of NAFDAC and PCN in ensuring pharmaceutical safety and regulatory compliance,” the statement read.

The Agency also reminded AIT of its obligations under the Nigeria Broadcasting Code (6th Edition, 2016), which mandates that news be presented “as factual and in a correct and fair manner without distortions, exaggerations, or misrepresentations.”

NAFDAC demanded an immediate public retraction, a broadcast apology of equal prominence to the original report, and a commitment to accurate reporting in future coverage of its activities.

The statement concluded with a firm warning: “Failure to comply will compel the Agency to escalate this matter through appropriate regulatory and legal channels.”