Suspend Ban On Alcoholic Drinks In Sachets, Pet bottles – Reps Tells NAFDAC

Published

2 years ago

February 23, 2024

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Suspend Ban On Alcoholic Drinks In Sachets, Pet bottles – Reps Tells NAFDAC—-The House of Representatives Committee on National Agency on Food, Drugs Administration, and Control (NAFDAC), has ordered suspension of ban on sale of spirits and alcoholic drinks in sachets and pet bottles.

The suspension is pending the outcome of its investigation on the matter.

Rep. Regina Akume, Chairman, House Committee on NAFDAC said this in Abuja after a public hearing on ban of the product on Friday.

She said there were proper steps to take before the ban, adding that there was need to put Access Control Procedures in place.

This, she said, was to prevent children and youths from consuming the alcoholic contents of the sachet and pet bottles.

She said the committee was entrusted with the essential responsibility and effectiveness of NAFDAC for the creation of employment and enhancing economic growth.

She promised to reach a level playing ground between NAFDAC and manufacturers that would not be detrimental to children or public safety.

Speaking earlier, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director General, NAFDAC, said the ban was imposed to protect the health and welfare of children, youths, and other vulnerable groups.

“We tried to protect the market, and that was why we agreed to a five-year moratorium for the manufacturers to phase out alcoholic drinks in sachets and pet bottles in December 2018.

According to her, it is a ministerial directive and not unilaterally made by NAFDAC, and the expiration of that five-year period has come.

Adeyeye said that, in spite of the agreement on the ban on alcohol in sachet and pet bottles, it was shocking to NAFDAC that the campaign from manufacturers was mounting.

She said that a lot of issues could have been solved before now, adding that the agency was not against the production of alcohol drinks but alcohol in sachets and pet bottles, to wade off children from unnecessary access.

“The World Health Organisation had a resolution in 2010, in which Nigeria was a co-signer, that each country will have alcohol that is less reachable and less accessible to the youth, and nothing has been done about that until now.

“It is very unfortunate we are where we are now because the children who are used to taking alcohol will also become vulnerable to drug abuse.”

Adeyeye said that as a result of the alcohol in sachets, about “30 per cent of our children now take alcohol casually.”

She, however, said the market that was going to be lost, as expressed by the manufacturer, would be about 30 per cent because such could be easily concealed in the pocket.

Mr Segun Ajayi kadilimni, Director General, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), however, said there was no major basic disagreement between it and NAFDAC.

He added that MAN remained committed to protecting the youth and children from accessing alcohol.

Kadilimni said the issue remained how to protect the under aged saying: “we have realised that there is a process to get there but banning the product will be counterproductive.”

According to him, this is because you are going to open the market to producers of illicit drugs, and these are people you cannot control.

“I believe if we work together, we will be able to eradicate underage access. These sachets are not produced for children but for adults, and they have been warned not to consume them.”

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EL-Lab Medical Diagnostics And Research Centre Secures ReAccreditation To ISO 15189:2022

Published

4 days ago

July 17, 2026

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EL-Lab Medical Diagnostics And Research Centre Secures ReAccreditation To ISO 15189:2022

EL-Lab, a leading Medical diagnostic centre in Lagos earns renewed Accreditation from the Nigeria National Accreditation System (NiNAS), affirming its continued technical competence in medical laboratory testing.

A medical diagnostic centre with branches across Lagos, EL-Lab is the First Indigenous medical laboratory in Nigeria to attain the ISO 15189 status in Nigeria ten years ago. Till date, Nigeria may have less than 50 medical laboratories in both public and private categories to meet this standard.

EL-LAB has maintained this accreditation status for ten (10) years and currently holds this qualification from two (2) accreditation bodies in Nigeria, namely Medical Laboratory Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) and Nigeria National Accreditation System (NiNAS)

This achievement of reaccreditation and transition to ISO 15189:2022 for Medical testing, following a rigorous reassessment by Nigeria National Accreditation System (NiNAS) confirms that EL-Lab continues to meet the requirements of ISO 15189:2022, the internationally recognised standard governing quality and competence in medical laboratories. It sets out requirements covering everything from sample handling and testing procedures to staff competence and quality management, giving patients, clinicians, and partner institutions confidence in the accuracy and reliability of results.

For a medical diagnostic laboratory, reaccreditation is no small feat. It requires laboratories to demonstrate, through an independent and thorough assessment, that its systems, processes, and personnel consistently deliver results in line with international best practice. NiNAS, as Nigeria’s national accreditation body, conducts these assessments to ensure that accredited laboratories maintain the standards necessary for both local and global recognition.

By retaining this accreditation, EL Lab reinforces its position as a trusted provider of medical testing services within Lagos and the broader Nigerian healthcare system.

Speaking on this, the Managing Director of EL-Lab, Dr Elochukwu Adibo mni said; “This achievement reflects the laboratory’s commitment to quality assurance, staff training, and process improvement, factors that lead to more reliable outcomes for patients and referring clinicians”.

For more information about EL-Lab Medical Diagnostics, visit their website: https://el-lab.org/

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Sri Lanka on Alert as Nipah Virus Cases Emerge in Eastern India

Published

6 months ago

January 27, 2026

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Sri Lanka on Alert as Nipah Virus Cases Emerge in Eastern India—-Sri Lanka has stepped up monitoring measures following reports of a Nipah virus cluster in India’s eastern state of West Bengal.

Health authorities across parts of Asia have also heightened vigilance over the emerging situation, the Daily Mirror reported.

Health officials said Sri Lanka is tracking developments at the regional level and remains in contact with international health monitoring systems.

While no cases have been reported locally, authorities have indicated that preparedness measures are in place should the situation evolve.

The alert follows confirmation by Indian authorities of at least five Nipah virus infections in West Bengal, including cases among healthcare workers.

The development has prompted several countries in the region to strengthen preventive measures, particularly at international airports.

Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease transmitted between animals and humans and, in some instances, through human-to-human contact.

It is classified as a priority pathogen by the World Health Organisation due to its epidemic potential and the severity of illness it can cause. Past outbreaks of the Nipah virus have been associated with high fatality rates, ranging from 40 per cent to 75 per cent. (Xinhua/NAN)

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