The Federal Government has issued a directive mandating all Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and Medical Directors (MDs) of Federal Tertiary Hospitals to procure needles and syringes exclusively from National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) approved local manufacturers.
Signed by the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the directive, contained in a circular dated March 28, 2024, Stating the government’s commitment to curbing the influx of substandard foreign goods into the Nigerian market.
The circular highlighted the detrimental impact of such imports on local pharmaceutical industries, citing the closure of six out of nine local companies that produced needles and syringes eight years ago.
Alausa emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “Mr. President has directed that this must stop.” Consequently, NAFDAC has been tasked with halting the issuance of licenses for the importation of foreign-manufactured needles and syringes, and delisting companies involved in such practices.
The circular further directs all tertiary hospitals to procure needles and syringes exclusively from NAFDAC-approved local manufacturers, including EL-Salmat Pharmaceuticals Company Ltd (Brand Name: Salmaject), HMA Medical Ltd (Brand Name: Deleject), and Afrimedical Manufacturing & Supplies Ltd.
To facilitate the procurement process, the circular also provides a list of distributors of the aforementioned companies across various states of the Federation.
