Malaria is a common disease in Nigeria and a large number of the population still buy drugs from pharmacies, sometimes not with a doctor’s prescription. When buying drugs in Nigeria, one needs to take extra precaution to ensure they’re not banned or expired products. About 42 anti-malaria drugs banned by the European Union (EU) are still in some drug stores in Nigeria, and these drugs have been identified.
The Senate on Wednesday mandated its Committee on Health to investigate the circulation and sale in the country of 42 anti-malaria drugs banned by the European Union (EU). When plenary started on Wednesday, Abia state senator, Theodore Orji told the Senate that the EU had banned the 42 anti-malaria drugs in Europe because they are considered dangerous and linked to cause of kidney failure.
However these drugs are still being peddled in stores across the country. In the wake of this finding, an investigation has been launched into the claim by Orji who raised the issue on the floor of the Senate. The Senate Committee on Health will handle the investigation on the sale of the banned malaria drugs.
The lives of Nigerians must be saved and that is why the committee has been asked to expedite action on it and make their findings available in no time. Orji quoted a report on the drugs as saying that “the EU countries must not stock drugs that contain Plasmotrin, Artequin, Co-arinate, Arco, Artecon and Dialquin”.
The lawmaker further gave a list of the drugs as the following:
– Alaxin 60 mg tablet (dihydroartemisinine) B/8– Alaxin oral suspension (dihydroartemisinine) FL/80ml– Amadiaguine 200mg compressed B/1000– Arinate 100mgtablet (artesunate) B/6– Arinate 50mg tablet (artesunate) B/6– Arsumax50 mg tablet (artesunate) B/6– Artemax 60 mg tablet (dihydroartemisinine) B/8– Artemedine 40 mg capsule (artemether) B/12– Artemedine 50 mg tablet(artemether) B/12– Artenam 50 mg tablet (artemether) B/14– Artenam 60 mg tablet (artemether) b/8– Artesiane 300 mg child powder oral suspension(artemether) FL 38g– Artesunate 100 mg compressed B/120– Artesunate 50 mg tablet B/120, Artexin 60 mg tablet (dihydroartemisinine) B/8– Camoquin 200 mg tablet (amodiaguine) B/9– Camoquin 200 mg tablet (amodiaguine) B/25 blisters– Camoquin 200 mg tablet (amodiaguine) B/55 blisters– Camoquin 200 mg tablet (amodiaguine) B/24 blisters– Camoquin 600 mg tablet (amodiaguine) B/3 blister– Camoquin oral suspension 50 mg/5ml (amodiaguine) FL/60ml– Cotecxin oral suspension (dihydroartemisinine) FL/80ml– Cotecxin 60 mg tablet (dihydroartemisinine) B/8– Daraprim tablet (pyrimethamine) B/8– Falcinil 50 mg tablet (artesunate) B/12– Flavoquine oral suspension50 mg/5ml (amodiaquine) FL/90ml– Flavoquine200 mg tablet (amodiaquine)B/16– Flavoquine 200 mg tablet (amodiaquine) B/24– Gunate strong tablet (artesunate) B/6 gvs labs– Tvitter powder oral suspension (artemether) FL/100ml– Halfan 250mg tablet (halofantrine) B/6– Halfan 250mg tablet (halofantrine) B/120– Halfanoral suspension 5mg/5ml (halofantrine) FL/45ml– Malartin 200mg tablet (artesunate) B/6– Malartin 50mg tablet (artesunate) B/12 and mmh-malarex 450mg capsule (peschiara fuchsiaefolia) B/20– Paludrine 100mg tablet (proguanil) B/56– Plasmotrim 200mg tablet (artesunate) B/25blisters/6– Plasmotrim 200mg tablet (artesunate) B/6– Plasmotrim 50mg lactab (artesunate) B/12– Plasmotrim 50mg lactab (artesunate) B/25 blisters/
According to Senator Orji, the President of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Professor Mike Ogirima, had already confirmed the delisting of those drugs by the EU. “It is alarming that the 42 drugs are still being stock-piled, sold and consumed in Nigeria.
“This situation is already trending and generating panic and concern among medical practitioners and members of the public.
“The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) that had waged ceaseless war on the influx of fake and substandard items have not adequately addressed the issue,’’ he said.
The Senator claimed that most of the drugs in the banned list were popular and common in Nigeria and were easily obtained across the counter with or without proper prescription.
In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, urged the committee to expedite action on the matter and report back as soon as possible.
He commended Orji for coming up with the motion, adding that the protection of lives was one of the primary responsibilities of the legislature.
“I hope the committee on health will carry out proper investigation to stop these types of drugs from flooding the market,’’ Saraki added.
Source: Unknown
Information verified.
