Mushin Local Government has made history as the first Local Government Area in South West Nigeria to host a Pharmacovigilance awareness programme on Wednesday 17th June, 2026 at the Secretariat Hall as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), in partnership with Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) and Mushin Local Government, intensified efforts to promote drug safety awareness among residents.

The sensitization programme, held at the Mushin Local Government Secretariat on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, brought together healthcare practitioners, community stakeholders, market leaders, and residents in a strategic effort to educate the public on the importance of reporting adverse drug reactions and promoting the safe use of medicines.

The choice of Mushin as the pioneer host in the South West was described as deliberate due to its large population and strategic relevance as one of Lagos State’s busiest commercial and residential communities.

Speaking at the event, the Vice Chairman double as the Supervisor for Health, Hon. Semiu Ishola Karaole, represented the Executive Chairman of Mushin Local Government, Hon. Olatunbosun Haruna Aruwe, and delivered the Chairman’s speech, which described the initiative as a landmark intervention in public healthcare.

He appreciated NAFDAC and IMPACT for bringing the life-saving awareness campaign to the people.

Speaking with Mushines News, He urged residents to embrace responsible medicine use and avoid self-medication.

“The health of our people remains a top priority of this administration under the leadership of Hon. Aruwe. We urge residents to desist from self-medication and ensure they report any adverse reactions to drugs for proper intervention,” he added.

Representing the Director-General of NAFDAC, Mrs. Uchenna Elemuwa, Director of Pharmacovigilance at NAFDAC, stressed that medicine safety is a collective responsibility and called for active public participation.

According to her, “Pharmacovigilance is not only for healthcare professionals; every citizen has a role to play. If you notice any unusual reaction after taking medicines, report it. Your report can save lives.”

She explained that adverse drug reactions often go unnoticed or unreported, thereby limiting the ability of regulatory authorities to detect harmful effects and protect consumers.

The Chairman of the South West Zone Pharmacovigilance Committee, Prof. Oregba, commended the collaboration between NAFDAC, IMPACT, and Mushin Local Government, describing it as a commendable step toward strengthening healthcare awareness at the grassroots.

He noted, “Medicine safety is everyone’s business. Pharmacovigilance helps us detect harmful effects early and protects the public from avoidable health complications. We must build a reporting culture, especially at the community level.”

Also speaking at the event, Dr. Odufuwa Kayode, the Medical Officer of Health, Mushin Local Government Area, said Adverse Drug Reactions (ADR) are a major but preventable public health burden and  strengthening pharmacovigilance at the primary healthcare level will improve reporting culture, as engaging communities are critical steps toward safer medicines and better patient outcomes. 

Dr. Pharm. Halimat Adedeji, Head of Pharmaceutical Services Unit, Mushin LGA, in her closing remarks, noted that Mushin Local Government has advanced its pharmacovigilance efforts by creating a safer system for medicine disposal. She urged community members to return unused, leftover, and expired medicines to Primary Health Centres (PHCs) instead of discarding them improperly, stressing that this step is crucial in safeguarding public health and preventing harmful chemicals from contaminating the environment.

The programme also featured practical sessions where participants were educated on how to report adverse drug reactions through NAFDAC’s Med Safety App, healthcare centres, and designated reporting channels.

Health experts at the event warned against the dangers of counterfeit drugs, indiscriminate use of antibiotics, and unregulated herbal medicines, emphasizing that drug misuse remains a growing threat to public health.

Community leaders and participants applauded the initiative, expressing optimism that the awareness campaign would significantly improve medicine safety consciousness and reduce health complications arising from improper drug use.

Drama and cultural display were used to convey the message of pharmacovigilance as student of Community Senior Secondary School, Mushin and drama group entertained the participants. 

In her closing remarks, Dr. Pharm. Adedeji noted that Mushin Local Government has advanced its pharmacovigilance efforts by creating a safer system for medicine disposal. She urged community members to return unused, leftover, and expired medicines to Primary Health Centres (PHCs) instead of discarding them improperly, stressing that this step is crucial in safeguarding public health and preventing harmful chemicals from contaminating the environment.

The event ended with a strong call for residents to become advocates of safe medicine practices within their homes and communities, as stakeholders pledged continued collaboration to strengthen Pharmacovigilance systems and ensure safer healthcare delivery in Mushin and beyond.