The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has debunked a viral social media video alleging that the agency secretly banned the sale and use of Amoxicillin in Nigeria, describing the claim as false, misleading, and without any factual basis.
In a statement released by its Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency clarified that Amoxicillin has not been banned in Nigeria, either openly or secretly, urging Nigerians to disregard the circulating misinformation.
NAFDAC emphasized that all regulatory decisions affecting medicines are communicated transparently through official channels such as Safety Alerts, Recalls, and Blacklists.
The agency noted that these notices provide detailed information, including affected product names, batch numbers, manufacturers, and recommended actions for healthcare providers and patients.
According to the regulator, recent actions involving certain Amoxicillin products were targeted at specific substandard brands and should not be interpreted as a nationwide ban on the widely used antibiotic.
The agency highlighted that Public Alert No. 24/2025, issued in August 2025, announced the recall of Amoxivue (Amoxicillin) 500mg capsules after tests revealed low Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) content, which could reduce the drug’s effectiveness.
Similarly, Public Alert No. 34/2025 identified substandard batches of Astamocil and Astamentin suspensions, while Public Alert No. 35/2025 flagged compromised batches of Annmox and Jawamox suspensions in October 2025.
“These regulatory actions were limited to specific products and do not constitute a ban on Amoxicillin in Nigeria,” the agency reiterated.
NAFDAC warned the public against relying on unverified social media content for health-related information and advised Nigerians to consult the agency’s official website for authentic updates on drug recalls and safety alerts.
Reaffirming its mandate, the agency stated that it remains committed to protecting public health through science-based regulation, strict quality control, and timely communication on medicines and other regulated products.
The clarification comes amid growing concerns about the spread of health misinformation online, underscoring the importance of verifying claims before sharing them, particularly when they involve critical medications such as antibiotics.
Health experts note that Amoxicillin remains one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics for treating bacterial infections, making accurate information essential to prevent panic, self-medication risks, or unnecessary disruption to treatment.
NAFDAC therefore encouraged Nigerians to depend only on verified sources for drug safety information, stressing that safeguarding the nation’s medicine supply remains a top priority.
