The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has debunked claims that it delayed or blocked the importation of vital antileprosy medicines into Nigeria.
In a statement posted on its X handle on Tuesday, the agency responded to a recent BBC report titled “Vital Leprosy Drugs Due in Nigeria After Year Delay,” clarifying that it remains committed to safeguarding public health through stringent quality control measures.
NAFDAC explained that its Clean Report of Inspection and Analysis Scheme, in place since 2002 and enhanced in 2020, ensures that medicines imported from high-risk countries like India and China meet global quality standards before entering Nigeria.
A key requirement under this scheme, according to the NAFDAC, is the Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product, an internationally recognised document issued by the regulatory authority of the exporting country.
The agency revealed that the manufacturer of the antileprosy drugs in question had failed to obtain the COPP from Indian authorities.
Following an appeal from the World Health Organization, NAFDAC requested laboratory evaluation results from an approved CRIA laboratory in India. Upon receiving satisfactory test results, the agency approved the release of the medicines for export to Nigeria, balancing patient needs with regulatory compliance.
NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to reducing Nigeria’s reliance on imported medicines by strengthening regulatory frameworks and supporting local pharmaceutical manufacturers.
“We remain dedicated to ensuring that only safe, effective, and high-quality medicines are available for use in Nigeria,” the agency stated.
