NAFDAC Guidelines for Procurement and the Management of the Mobile Authentication Service (MAS) Scheme in Nigeria 2016
Guideline · Trade
Policy date: 2016-01-01
Guidelines govern the Mobile Authentication Service for verifying the authenticity of NAFDAC-registered products through SMS-based scratch-off codes. These guidelines target regulated entities, NAFDAC teams, and industry stakeholders. They aim to combat counterfeiting by enabling consumers to confirm product genuineness.
NAFDAC Guidelines for Procurement and the Management of the Mobile Authentication Service (MAS) Scheme in Nigeria 2016
What Is This Policy?
Guidelines governing the Mobile Authentication Service, a technology that allows consumers to verify the authenticity of NAFDAC-registered products by sending scratch-off codes via SMS.
Who Does It Target?
All NAFDAC-registered product manufacturers required to apply MAS authentication codes; distributors and retailers of regulated products; Nigerian consumers verifying product authenticity via SMS; NAFDAC's anti-counterfeiting and post-market surveillance teams; telecom operators supporting the SMS verification infrastructure
NAFDAC teams Industry stakeholders
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
Combat counterfeiting by enabling consumers to instantly verify whether a product is genuine and NAFDAC-registered.
Key Features
MAS Technology: Scratch-off codes on product packaging linked to authentication database Manufacturer Obligations: Procurement and application of MAS codes to regulated products Consumer Verification: Free SMS-based authentication service for consumers Database Management: NAFDAC management of authentication records and counterfeit reporting
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Active Coverage: All applicable entities Lead Agency: NAFDAC
How to Access
Regulated entities must comply. Procure MAS codes from NAFDAC-approved providers Apply codes to product packaging during manufacturing Monitor consumer verification feedback
Official Resources
Website: nafdac.gov.ng Contact: NAFDAC, Abuja
Legal Framework
The NAFDAC Guidelines for Procurement and Management of Medical Products are issued under the NAFDAC Act and operate alongside the National Drug Policy, the Public Procurement Act 2007, and the National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022. International alignment is with WHO Good Distribution Practices, the UNFPA/UNICEF procurement guidelines for essential medicines, and the Global Fund supply chain management standards for pharmaceutical procurement.