NAFDAC has suspended or withdrawn 101 pharmaceutical products from the Nigerian market, citing licensing issues and safety concerns

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced the suspension, withdrawal, or cancellation of 101 pharmaceutical products, with immediate effect.

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The agency disclosed this via its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, stating that the affected drugs are no longer permitted for manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, sale, or use within Nigeria.

“The Certificate of Registration of these products has either been suspended, withdrawn upon request by the Market Authorisation Holder, or outright cancelled,” the agency noted.

Checks by PUNCH Online revealed that the affected list includes commonly used medications such as:

Abacavir (an antiretroviral)
Amlodipine (used for hypertension)
Artemether/Lumefantrine combinations (popular antimalarials)
Valsartan-based medicines (for cardiovascular diseases)
Norditropin (a growth hormone injectable)
Januvia/Janumet (used in diabetes treatment)
Various inhalers and ophthalmic solutions

The full list of affected products has been published on the official NAFDAC website for public access.

NAFDAC clarified the three categories of product delisting:

Withdrawal – when the Market Authorisation Holder voluntarily discontinues use of the product’s registration.
Suspension – when the conditions for licensing are no longer met.
Cancellation – when NAFDAC revokes the Certificate of Registration due to non-compliance or public safety concerns.

“The decision reflects NAFDAC’s commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring the integrity of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical supply chain,” the statement added.

The regulatory action follows growing international concerns over substandard and falsified medicines, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

A 2023 report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that up to 10% of medicines** in these regions are either counterfeit or of poor quality — posing serious health risks.

NAFDAC’s action aligns with its ongoing compliance checks, post-market surveillance, and efforts to ensure that only safe, effective, and high-quality medicines remain available to Nigerians.

Healthcare professionals and pharmacists have been advised to immediately discontinue the prescription and dispensation of the listed drugs.

Distributors and importers are also warned to ensure they do not stock or sell the affected items, as enforcement measures will follow.