NAFDAC Debunks Viral Claims of Secret Ban on Amoxicillin in Nigeria

By Emmanuel Kwada

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has firmly dismissed circulating social media videos falsely claiming that the agency has imposed a secret or blanket ban on the widely used antibiotic Amoxicillin in Nigeria.

In an official public notice issued today, NAFDAC described the viral claims as “entirely FALSE” and urged the public, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders to disregard the misinformation.

“NAFDAC has not banned Amoxicillin,” the agency stated. “While the Agency routinely issues targeted safety alerts and recalls on specific substandard or affected batches of medicines, there is no blanket ban on the antibiotic in Nigeria.”

The clarification comes amid growing concerns over a misleading video spreading on social media platforms, which has sparked confusion and potential panic among users of the essential medication.

Amoxicillin, a penicillin-class antibiotic, remains a critical treatment for various bacterial infections, including those affecting the ear, nose, throat, respiratory tract, urinary system, and skin.

NAFDAC emphasized that its regulatory actions are limited to addressing quality issues in specific products or batches.

Recent examples include recalls of substandard Amoxicillin formulations from certain manufacturers due to low active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) content, such as cases involving brands like Deekins, Annmox, Jawamox, Astamocil, and others flagged in previous public alerts.

These targeted interventions aim to protect public health by removing ineffective or unsafe products from circulation, not to prohibit the drug entirely.

The agency called on Nigerians to rely solely on verified information from its official channels, including its website and verified social media accounts, to avoid falling victim to rumors that could disrupt access to legitimate medications.

“Disregard the misinformation and rely only on verified updates published on NAFDAC’s official channels,” the notice concluded.

Health experts note that misinformation about essential drugs can lead to unnecessary avoidance of treatment, potentially worsening health outcomes or contributing to antibiotic resistance when patients turn to unverified alternatives.

NAFDAC reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public health through rigorous surveillance, quality control, and timely communication.