NAFDAC denies secret ban on Amoxicillin in Nigeria

The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has dismissed as false a video circulating on social media claiming that the agency secretly banned the sale and use of Amoxicillin in Nigeria.

Prof. Adeyeye clarified that NAFDAC has not imposed any such ban. “As a responsible regulator, we communicate all actions publicly through official channels,” she said, adding that the agency regularly issues recalls, safety alerts, blacklists, and notices regarding substandard or falsified products.

She explained that these alerts provide detailed information, including product names, batch numbers, manufacturers, and necessary guidance for healthcare providers and patients. Blacklisting, she noted, targets companies with safety lapses or violations, not entire drug classes.

NAFDAC has previously issued targeted safety alerts on specific Amoxicillin brands. In August 2025, Public Alert No. 24/2025 recalled Amoxivue 500mg capsules due to low Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) content. In October 2025, Public Alert No. 34/2025 flagged substandard batches of Astamocil and Astamentin suspensions, while Public Alert No. 35/2025 addressed substandard batches of Annmox and Jawamox suspensions. Prof. Adeyeye emphasized that these actions concerned specific products and did not constitute a ban on Amoxicillin.

The agency urged Nigerians to disregard the misleading video and rely solely on verified updates from NAFDAC’s official channels.

She reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to public health through transparent, evidence-based regulation.