NaijaPositive.com

admin · Site Admin Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 5404

In 2005 TIME magazine identified Dr. Akunyili as one of 18 global heros in health, and her story was the cover story for the profile.

Dr. Dora Akunyili and her family were driving down a rural road in Nigeria three years ago when snipers opened fire on her car. "The back windscreen was shattered," she says. "A bullet pierced through my head scarf and grazed my scalp." Akunyili had been targeted by a drug gang--but not the kind that sells heroin or cocaine. These drug dealers traffic in counterfeit medicine--ineffective at best, deadly at worst--and as director general of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Akunyili's job aims to put them out of business.

Bad medicine is a huge problem in Nigeria. Before Akunyili took over her post in 2001, a staggering 80% of the medications sold there were deficient in one way or another. Some contained less of the active ingredient than was specified on the label. Others were past their expiration date. Some were filled with inert lactose or powdered chalk. Still others were poison. In 1990 more than 100 Nigerian children died from a painkiller that had been made with toxic ethylene glycol instead of propylene glycol. In 2003 phony adrenaline led to the deaths of three children undergoing surgery in the city of Enugu. Akunyili's sister Vivian, a diabetic, died in 1988, a victim of fake insulin.

Akunyili's first move, when she took over the drug-control agency, was to restrict pharmaceutical imports to just two airports and two seaports, each staffed by NAFDAC officials. The agency also made a list of 19 Indian and Chinese companies that had been indicted for manufacturing fake drugs and banned their products. It placed analysts in India and China to recertify any drugs manufactured in those countries before they could be shipped to Nigeria.

NAFDAC went on the offensive back home as well, conducting nearly 800 raids on drug-distribution outlets and 90 "destruction exercises" on counterfeit or substandard medicines. "We are winning," says Akunyili. "Made-in-Nigeria drugs are now acceptable in other West African countries. Multinational [drug manufacturers] that left out of frustration are coming back."

None of this has made her very popular with the local drug cartels. The sniping incident was only one of several attempts on her life. NAFDAC'S offices have been fire bombed and its personnel attacked by gunmen. No wonder her family wants her not to accept another five-year term when the current one expires next year. But Akunyili, 51, has not made up her mind. "God gave me the opportunity to do something," she says, "and so far, God has been protecting me."

Like many committed health professionals in the developing world, Akunyili brings an almost messianic zeal to her work. "Drug faking or counterfeiting is the greatest evil of our time," she says. "Malaria can be prevented, HIV/AIDS can be avoided and armed robbery may kill a few at a time, but fake drugs kill en masse."

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May we be strengthened with the ability, willingness and capabilities to be good ambassadors of Nigeria contributing to its uplifting, rather than its detriment. - Cxsm

admin · Site Admin Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 5404

Italian Govt Honours Akunyili

3rd Dec. 2007

The Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Dora Akunyili, was at the weekend honoured by the Italian Government as one of the four top world-class women achievers.

Prof. Akunyili and three other women emerged finalists for the 2007 International Woman of the Year Award at a colourful International Women Conference held at Grand Hotel Brillia in the serene city of Saint-Vincent, Italy.

She emerged as a finalist for the coveted award in a selection by a panel of international of Jurists from 40 notable women achievers nominated from various countries in Europe, America, Asia, Latin-America and Africa.
The three other finalists were Prof. Salma Hadad of Iraq, Dr. Ayesh Nayla of Palestine and Mrs. Lily Traubmann of Israel. The Jurists announced Dr. Nayla and Mrs Traubmann as joint winners of the award at the close of the conference
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President of the Italian Regional Council of Aosta Valley, Mr. Eggon Peron, who presented trophies to Prof. Akunyili and other finalists, said the annual award was initiated 10 years ago by the Regional Council of Aosta Valley in collaboration with International Soroptomist Club and two other NGOs, to honour women achievers who dedicated their lives to humanitarian works, fight against injustice, dictatorship, corruption and other societal vices.
He disclosed that Prof. Akunyili was honoured because of her relentless fight against fake drugs and selfless efforts to save lives.

Earlier, the vice-president of the European Parliament Mrs. Luisa Morgantini who was Special Guest of Honour at the ceremony commended the NAFDAC Director-General for her "dedication, courage, transparency and relentless drive in the course of protecting and saving innocent lives at a great cost to her life."

Mrs. Morgantini said her accomplishment has rekindled hope that a lot of good news and great things will continue to come from Africa.

Prof. Akunyili was given a cash prize of 5,000 Euros. She has received over 480 national and international awards since she assumed office.
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May we be strengthened with the ability, willingness and capabilities to be good ambassadors of Nigeria contributing to its uplifting, rather than its detriment. - Cxsm

admin · Site Admin Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 5404

Akunyili Shares Anti-Fake Drugs Strategies With US Experts

The Guardian
Collins Olayinka
16th Feb. '08

Iimpressed with Nigeria's success in her anti-drugs drive, the Harvard Business School (HBS) has invited the Director General of Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Dora Akunyili to share her experiences with the United States (US) foremost institution.

The Head, Public Relations Unit of the agency Abubakar Jimoh in Abuja said over 900 corporate business professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, HBS alumni, graduate students and other participants drawn from various parts of the world would listen to Akunyili.

Akunyili who is now considered an expert in anti-counterfeiting issues would be talking on Governance in Africa: My leadership Experience in fighting corruption related to drug counterfeiting in Nigeria, at the 10th yearly Africa Business Conference sponsored by Africa Business Club of the institution.

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May we be strengthened with the ability, willingness and capabilities to be good ambassadors of Nigeria contributing to its uplifting, rather than its detriment. - Cxsm