The Federal Government has raised concerns over the continued circulation of substandard and falsified veterinary drugs across the country, attributing the trend to weak regulatory compliance and poorly coordinated importation practices.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar, voiced the concern during a National Stakeholders’ Round-table on the quality and regulation of veterinary medicines held in Abuja. He noted that inadequate oversight of local manufacturing and distribution channels has enabled low-quality products to enter the market, leaving livestock farmers vulnerable to purchasing ineffective drugs.
According to the minister, the use of such products often leads to treatment failure, financial losses and preventable livestock deaths, ultimately undermining productivity within the sector. He described the livestock industry as a vital component of Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda, providing income, nutrition, employment and livelihood security for millions of citizens.
Mukhtar stressed that cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry serve as major sources of protein and contribute significantly to rural economies and national GDP. He emphasised that sustained productivity and growth in the sector depend heavily on the availability and proper use of safe and effective veterinary medicines.
He further identified the misuse and abuse of antimicrobials — including incorrect dosages, improper storage and unsupervised administration — as major drivers of antimicrobial resistance. He warned that resistant pathogens pose serious threats to animal and human health, food safety and the environment, noting that such pathogens can easily spread across species.
Calling for urgent collective action, the minister advocated a stronger and more coordinated regulatory framework. He described veterinary drug quality assurance as both a regulatory responsibility and a matter of national security and public health.
Mukhtar urged stakeholders to propose practical solutions to strengthen regulation, improve licensing and distribution systems, enhance post-market surveillance and curb the proliferation of counterfeit products. He also underscored the importance of raising awareness among livestock owners, many of whom rely on informal vendors due to limited access to qualified veterinary professionals.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to collaborating with relevant stakeholders to establish a transparent and accountable veterinary drug system that guarantees farmers access to safe, affordable and effective medicines.
Post comments (0)