LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has officially debunked viral social media reports alleging a “secret ban” on Amoxicillin within Nigeria.
In a decisive statement released via its verified X handle on Monday, February 9, the regulatory body dismissed the claims as malicious misinformation designed to incite public panic. While the agency has issued specific recalls for substandard batches in recent months, officials clarified that no blanket prohibition exists for the widely used antibiotic.
“NAFDAC has not banned Amoxicillin in Nigeria, either secretly or openly. As a responsible regulatory authority, the Agency publicly notifies Nigerians of any regulatory actions through official channels,” the official NAFDAC notice read.
To provide context, the agency highlighted that its “Public Alerts” are targeted measures against specific manufacturers or failed batches rather than entire drug classes. For instance, Public Alert No. 24/2025 previously flagged Amoxivue 500mg capsules due to low active ingredients, while other notices addressed specific suspensions like Annmox and Jawamox.
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Transparent communication remains the agency’s primary tool for maintaining pharmaceutical integrity across the country. NAFDAC explained that “Blacklisting” only occurs when specific companies commit severe safety violations or unethical practices, a process that is always documented with batch numbers and manufacturer names to assist healthcare providers in making informed clinical decisions.
Consequently, the public is urged to disregard unverified videos and rely solely on the NAFDAC Safety Alert portal for authentic updates. Healthcare professionals and patients are advised to remain vigilant but calm, as the availability of high-quality Amoxicillin remains unaffected by these localized recalls.
The agency maintained that adherence to official protocols for verifying medication authenticity is the most effective way to combat the spread of “fake news” in the health sector.
Future updates regarding drug safety will continue to be broadcast through verified government channels to ensure national health security.
