NAFDAC Reassures Nigerians on Safety of US-Donated Medicines

 The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reassured the public that all medical supplies and vaccines imported into the country under government-to-government agreements undergo strict regulatory oversight to guarantee their quality, safety, and efficacy.

The clarification comes in response to public inquiries surrounding medical products provided under the United States Government–Government of Nigeria (USG–GoN) agreement. The partnership was established to support critical HIV/AIDS treatment programs and address supply shortages created by the exit of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, affirmed that the agency retains its full statutory mandate over all imported medicines, vaccines, and diagnostic tools. While products manufactured in the United States and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may receive expedited review under a regulatory-reliance framework, items manufactured outside the U.S. will undergo comprehensive laboratory testing by NAFDAC before release.

To prevent diversion, theft, and substandard drugs from entering the healthcare system, NAFDAC is deploying its GS1 technology-driven Track and Trace system.

Operating through the Traceability Information System (TIS) which previously monitored COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic, the digital infrastructure will track the nationwide distribution of non-COVID vaccines, maternal and newborn health commodities, and controlled substances. The agency reiterated its commitment to protecting public health by enforcing strict regulatory standards on all health products distributed across Nigeria.