The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against taking excess antibiotics, saying it accelerates the process of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), and leads to avoidable deaths.

Director General of the agency, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, disclosed this during a virtual meeting/2021anniversary of World Antimicrobial Resistance Week (WAAW).

The theme for this anniversary is “spread awareness, stop resistance,” where Adeyeye sounded a warning that if allowed to fester, antimicrobial resistance could lead to death.

She added that the menace and war against AMR has not only gained prominence and global attention, but also has become a significant battle that the human race must win.

Adeyeye expressed dismay over the development and proliferation of AMR, saying that the ability of pathogenic microorganism to resist the effect of antimicrobial agents when used have compromised the ability of antimicrobials to effectively treat infectious diseases as expected.

According to her, emergence and spread of drug-resistant pathogens continues to weaken the health systems.

Adeyeye said that the fight against AMR requires collective efforts that are interlinked and interphased along the One-Health Concept, adding that NAFDAC had put in place some important regulatory measures to curb the emergence and spread of AMR.

According to her, “this is necessary and extremely important to ensure food safety, food security, a safe environment, and a healthy citizen in our dear country.”

She added that everyone in the healthcare, livestock production and environmental management sub sectors of the economy is directly or indirectly involved in curbing AMR.

Adeyeye reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to ensuring that only safe and wholesome food, drugs, and other regulated products are available to Nigerians.