The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has dismissed widespread claims on social media suggesting that the antibiotic Amoxicillin has been secretly banned in Nigeria, describing the reports as false and misleading.
In a statement shared on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday, the agency said it became aware of a viral video alleging that the commonly used antibiotic had been prohibited nationwide. NAFDAC firmly clarified that no such ban exists.
According to the agency, while it routinely issues safety alerts, product recalls, or regulatory actions targeting specific substandard or compromised batches of medicines, there has never been a blanket ban on Amoxicillin in the country.
NAFDAC emphasised that it always publicly communicates regulatory decisions through official channels, including recalls, safety alerts, and blacklists, whenever any pharmaceutical product poses safety concerns.
The agency explained that such safety notices typically provide detailed information including product names, batch numbers, manufacturers, and recommended actions to guide healthcare professionals and patients in making informed treatment decisions.
Blacklisting, when necessary, may restrict certain companies from selling or distributing their products due to safety violations or unethical practices.
NAFDAC further noted that some targeted actions were taken in 2025 regarding specific Amoxicillin products.
In August 2025, Public Alert No. 24/2025 announced the recall of Amoxivue 500mg capsules after tests revealed insufficient active pharmaceutical ingredient content.
Similar alerts followed in October 2025 concerning substandard batches of Astamocil, Astamentin, Annmox, and Jawamox suspensions.
However, the agency stressed that these actions were limited to identified products and do not amount to a nationwide ban on Amoxicillin.
NAFDAC urged Nigerians, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders to disregard the misinformation and avoid spreading unverified claims that could create unnecessary fear or confusion.
The agency also advised the public to rely solely on its verified communication platforms for accurate information on medicines, regulatory actions, and public health updates
