Abuja, Nigeria — SUNTV GLOBAL CHANNEL EXCLUSIVE
Nigeria’s drug regulatory authority has issued a strong nationwide warning over the continued use of certain anti-malarial medicines, declaring them unsafe due to concerns about reduced effectiveness after preparation.
In a fresh public alert, the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) announced that it has officially discontinued the registration, approval, and use of multi-dose Artemether/Lumefantrine dry powder oral suspensions across the country.
According to the agency, scientific stability studies revealed that once the medication is mixed with water for use, it quickly becomes unstable and loses its potency. This means patients may not receive effective malaria treatment, putting them at risk of complications, prolonged illness, or even death in severe cases.
NAFDAC stressed that ineffective anti-malarial drugs could lead to treatment failure and worsen Nigeria’s ongoing fight against malaria.
The agency confirmed it has:
- Stopped accepting new registrations, renewals, or product variations related to the affected medicines.
- Withdrawn regulatory approval for all brands — both locally produced and imported.
- Ordered manufacturers to switch to safer alternatives, including:
- Dispersible tablets
- Single-dose powder or granule sachets
Despite the directive issued earlier in 2025, NAFDAC says surveillance teams have discovered the banned suspensions are still being sold and dispensed in several states.
As a result, the agency has instructed its officials nationwide to intensify enforcement operations and immediately remove the products from markets and pharmacies.
NAFDAC is urging:
- Importers, distributors, and retailers to stop selling or stocking the medicines immediately.
- Healthcare workers and consumers to report any sightings of the products.
- Patients to report adverse drug reactions through the agency’s official reporting platforms.
The agency emphasized that strict compliance is crucial to protect public health and maintain effective malaria treatment across Nigeria.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue monitoring developments as authorities step up enforcement to eliminate substandard medicines from circulation.
