Panic in medical circles over EU-banned anti-malaria drugs still on Nigerian shelves

There is panic in the medical circles in Nigeria, following a report that the European Union (EU) has banned 42 popular anti-malaria drugs which are still being sold in Nigeria.

According to the list currently in circulation in the country, the drugs are considered dangerous and linked to cause of kidney failure, hence the ban.

A renowned medical practitioner and proprietor of hospitals in Lagos, who craved anonymity, said though there was no official communication from the authorities to relevant bodies in the field, the issue was generating serious concern among medical practitioners in the country. He based his feer on the fact that the drugs are still being sold across the country.

“It was a big shock when we read some messages on the doctors’ forum. The authenticity is still being queried,” he said.

Government agencies’ National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Congrol (NAFDAC) and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), had waged ceaseless war on the influx of fake and substandard items, including drugs into the country.

A breakdown of the list of the banned drugs by the EU included oral suspension and tables, as well as capsules for children and adults.

Most of the drugs, which are very popular and in common in the country, are easily obtained across the counter in Nigeria, with or without requisite prescription by appropriate medical personnel.

The list is particularly curious because it contains drugs manufactured by reputable pharmaceutical firms across the world.

According to the circulated report, it was necessary for EU countries not to stock “any drug that contains any of these substances: Plasmotrin; Artequin; Co-arinate; Arco; Artedar; Artecon and Dialquin.”

NAFDAC Director of Special Duties, Alhaji Abubakar Jimoh, said the agency was already taking necessary steps to create public awareness for World Health Organisation (WHO) approved drugs.

“We have an approved government list of malaria drugs. The list is predicated on the WHO list. It is in tandem with the WHO recommendation. We have stopped the use of these medicines in Nigeria. They are mono-therapies. Nobody should even go near them and that is what we have been clamouring for that people should stop using these mono-therapy long time ago.

“We are contemplating publishing the list of approved anti-malaria drugs so that it can be a document for members of the public. Also, we will put approved list on NAFDAC web page so that it can be used also for comparison. Of course, not everyone knows what mono-therapy is, or combined drugs for malaria,” he stated.

Abubakar said the regulation of antimalarial that should be sold for malaria was over seven years. “The rule is not use these drugs because they no longer help to treat malaria. That is why we are using combined therapy to ensure that we can eliminate malaria in Nigeria.”

Abubakar warned that the malaria drugs were not even supposed on be on shelves.

The president of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Professor Mike Ogirima, also confirmed the delisting of those drugs by EU countries.

He said: “It is true. The current recommended treatment for malaria is combination of two drugs to reduce resistance. These agents banned are mono-therapies. The decision by NAFDAC to ban these agents is in order.”

List of the banned drugs
1. Alaxin 60mg tablet (dihydroartémisinine) B / 8
2. Alaxin oral suspension (dihydroartémisinine) FL / 80ml
3. Amodiaquine 200mg compressed B / 1000
4. Amodiaquine 200mg compressed B / 1000
5. Arinate 100mg tablet (artésunate) B / 6
6. Arinate 50 mg tablet (artésunate) B / 6
7. Arsumax 50 mg tablet (artésunate) B / 12
8. Artemax 60 mg tablet (dihydroartémisinine) B / 8
9. Artémédine 40 mg capsule (artemether) B / 12
10. Artémédine 50 mg tablet (artemether) B / 12
11. Artenam 50 mg tablet (artemether) B / 14
12. Artenam 60 mg tablet (artemether) B / 8
13. Artésiane 300 mg child powder oral suspension (artemether) FL / 38g
14. Artésunate 100mg compressed B / 120
15. Artésunate 50 mg tablet B / 120
16. Artexin 60 mg tablet (dihydroartémisinine) B / 8
17. Camoquin 200mg tablet (amodiaquine) B / 9
18. Camoquin 200mg tablet (amodiaquine) B / 25 blisters
19. Camoquin 200mg tablet (amodiaquine) B / 55 blisters
20. Camoquin 200mg tablet (amodiquine) B / 24
21. Camoquin 600 mg tablet (amodiaquine) B / 3
22. Camoquin oral suspension 50mg / 5ml (amodiaquine) FL / 60ml
23. Cotecxin oral suspension (dihydroartémisinine) FL / 80ml
24. Cotecxin 60 mg tablet (dihydroartémisinine) B / 8
25. Daraprim tablet (pyriméthamine) B / 30
26. Falcinil 50mg tablet (artésunate) B / 12
27. Flavoquine oral suspension 50mg / 5ml (amodiaquine) FL / 90ml
28. Flavoquine 200mg tablet (amodiaquine) B / 16
29. Flavoquine 200mg tablet (amodiaquine) B / 240
30. Gunate strong tablet (artésunate) B / 6 gvs labs
31. Tvitter powder oral suspension (artemether) FL / 100ml
32. Halfan 250mg tablet (halofantrine) B / 6
33. Halfan 250mg tablet (halofantrine) B / 120
34. Halfan oral suspension 5mg / 5ml (halofantrine) FL / 45ml
35. Malartin 200mg tablet (artésunate) B / 6
36. Malartin 50 mg tablet (artésunate) B / 12
37. mmh-malarex 450 mg capsule (peschiara fuchsiaefolia) B / 20
38. Paludrine 100mg tablet (proguanil) B / 56
39. Plasmotrim 200mg tablet (artésunate) B / 25 blisters / 6
40. Plasmotrim 200mg tablet (artésunate) B / 6
41. Plasmotrim 50 mg lactab (artésunate) B / 12
42. Plasmotrim 50 mg lactab (artésunate) B / 25 blisters / 6