Amoxicillin not banned in Nigeria
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has dismissed claims circulating on social media that Amoxicillin has been banned in Nigeria, describing the reports as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Monday, the agency said its attention was drawn to a viral video alleging that Amoxicillin, a commonly used antibiotic, had been secretly prohibited across the country. NAFDAC said no such ban exists and urged Nigerians to disregard the claims.
According to the agency, Amoxicillin remains approved for use in Nigeria and continues to be regulated in line with existing pharmaceutical laws. NAFDAC stressed that it has not taken any action to ban the antibiotic either openly or covertly.
The agency explained that while it routinely issues public safety alerts, recalls or regulatory actions on medicines that fail quality tests, such measures are always specific to affected brands or batches and do not amount to a nationwide ban on an entire drug.
“NAFDAC has not banned Amoxicillin in Nigeria,” the agency said. “Any regulatory action taken by the agency is communicated transparently through official channels and applies only to identified products that pose a potential risk to public health.”
https://ogelenews.ng/amoxicillin-not-banned-in-nigeria
NAFDAC clarified that recent safety alerts involving Amoxicillin were targeted interventions aimed at protecting consumers from substandard or falsified products. These alerts followed laboratory analyses that revealed that certain brands or batches contained lower-than-required levels of active pharmaceutical ingredients.
The agency said such recalls are part of its routine post-market surveillance activities and should not be misinterpreted as evidence that Amoxicillin itself has been banned. It noted that these actions are standard practice globally among drug regulatory authorities.
Amoxicillin is one of the most widely prescribed antibiotics in Nigeria and is used in the treatment of various bacterial infections, including respiratory tract infections, ear infections, skin infections and urinary tract infections. NAFDAC emphasised that when used appropriately and prescribed by qualified healthcare professionals, the drug remains safe and effective.
The viral video that triggered public concern reportedly claimed that Amoxicillin had been removed from circulation due to safety concerns. NAFDAC said the content was misleading and lacked any reference to official regulatory decisions.
The agency expressed concern over the increasing spread of health-related misinformation on social media platforms, warning that such false claims could lead to unnecessary panic, poor health decisions and distrust in the healthcare system.
NAFDAC advised Nigerians to verify health information from credible and official sources before acting on it, especially when it concerns medicines used by millions of people.
Public health experts have previously warned that misinformation about drugs can discourage patients from completing prescribed treatments, potentially worsening illness and contributing to antimicrobial resistance. Regulatory agencies, they say, play a crucial role in ensuring that medicines in circulation meet safety and quality standards.
NAFDAC reiterated that its mandate includes regulating the manufacture, importation, distribution, sale and use of medicines in Nigeria. This responsibility involves continuous monitoring of products in the market and taking corrective action when standards are not met.
The agency also encouraged healthcare providers, pharmacists and distributors to remain vigilant and report any suspected substandard or falsified medicines encountered in the course of their work.
According to NAFDAC, any decision to ban or suspend the use of a medicine nationwide would be formally announced and widely publicised to ensure public awareness and compliance.
The agency said Nigerians should ignore unverified claims suggesting otherwise and continue to seek medical advice from qualified professionals regarding the use of antibiotics and other prescription medicines.
NAFDAC concluded by reaffirming that Amoxicillin has not been banned in Nigeria and remains legally available for medical use under proper regulation.
http://nafdac.gov.ng/category/recalls-and-alerts
Amoxicillin not banned in Nigeria
