Every legitimate drug sold in Nigeria must be registered with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. The registration number is the primary evidence that a product has been evaluated for safety, quality, and efficacy before reaching you.
Yet most Nigerians have never verified one.
Anatomy of a NAFDAC number
A NAFDAC registration number follows a specific format: typically an alphanumeric code beginning with two or three letters indicating the product category, followed by digits representing the product and manufacturer.
For example, a code beginning with "A" generally indicates a drug product. Codes beginning with "03" typically indicate food products. The full number is unique to a specific product, dosage form, and manufacturer.
How to verify in under two minutes
Three verification channels are available:
- SMS: Send the NAFDAC number to 63 21 and receive a return SMS confirming the product
- Web portal: Visit nafdac.gov.ng/drug-verification and enter the number manually
- NAFDAC mobile app: Scan the barcode directly using the official app
What a failed verification means
A number that returns no result does not necessarily mean the product is counterfeit — it could be a data entry error or a recently registered product not yet indexed. However, it warrants caution.
Do not consume the product. Report it to your pharmacist, who can contact NAFDAC on your behalf. A legitimate manufacturer can provide a Certificate of Registration on request.
At ElCharis, we verify NAFDAC numbers for every product in our dispensary before it is stocked. If you ever have doubts about a product you received, contact us and we will provide full documentation.