NAFDAC council suspends implementation of new tariffs By Ojoma Akor | Published Date Jul 1, 2019 5:07 AM TwitterFacebookWhatsAppTelegram The Governing Council of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has suspended implementation of the new tariffs that came into effect on June 1. A statement from the agency signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Abubakar Jimoh, said it was done to douse tension and assuage the yearnings of stakeholders in the pharmaceutical, food and allied industries. ADVERTISEMENT The statement said a stakeholders’ forum and meeting of the governing council resolved that all those affected by the new tariffs should revert to payment of the old tariffs until further notice. Chairman of NAFDAC Governing Council, Inuwa Abdul-Kadir, told newsmen yesterday that NAFDAC would continue to dialogue with all concerned stakeholders on the tariff review and other regulatory issues. ADVERTISEMENT Abdul-Kadir said new tariffs would soon be released by the agency after sensitizing the public and other procedures. He said the suspension of the new tariffs was borne out of NAFDAC’s commitment to the promotion of the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The chairman, a one-time Minister of Youths, stressed the need for NAFDAC to procure new laboratory equipment, operational vehicles and other facilities to enable it render quality and efficient regulatory services, and monitor and carry out enforcement activities. Abdul-Kadir said the agency would evolve separate tariffs for the over 35 million MSME operators dealing on NAFDAC regulated products while also ensuring that they adhere strictly to extant regulations without compromise. The emergency meeting was preceded by a stakeholders forum in Lagos attended by representatives of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Group of PMG-MAN, Association of Pharmaceutical Importers of Nigeria (APIN), Indian pharmaceutical Importers, National Association of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, Civil Society Organisation and the media.