FG bans use of foreign syringes, needles in teaching hospitals 

In a move to promote local content, the Federal Government has banned the use of foreign-made syringes and needles in tertiary hospitals across the country.

The Federal Government in a circular with ref number: HMSH&SW /CMDs/MDs/FTHs/CIRCULAR/S&N/03 dated 28th March 2024, directed all Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals to procure needles and syringes from only the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control approved local manufacturers.

The circular signed by the  Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa, also mandated NAFDAC to stop issuing licences for the importation of foreign-manufactured needles and syringes.

The circular titled, “Use of locally manufactured needles and syringes”, partly read, “Following Mr. President’s directive to all sectors to promote local content and protect our manufacturing industries from foreign companies that dump their goods on us, the health sector has identified for local pharmaceutical industries that produce needles and syringes that are in serious trouble because of this practice.

“Out of the nine local pharmaceutical companies that produced needles and syringes eight years ago, six have folded up due to the dumping of largely substandard goods into our market. Mr President has directed that this must stop.”

Alausa also directed NAFDAC  to de-list companies involved in the importation of these products going forward.

The circular further read, “In my virtual meeting with all of you, we all agreed to take the necessary steps to immediately remedy this sad situation.

“Under this NAFDAC has been mandated to stop issuing licences for the importation of foreign manufactured needles and syringes. It is also to de-list companies involved in the importation of these products going forward.

“All the tertiary hospitals are hereby directed to procure needles and syringes for your hospital needs from only the NAFDAC-approved local manufacturers listed below either directly or through any of their vendors.
EL-Salmat Pharmaceuticals Company Ltd Block, Brand Name: Salmaject, HMA Medical Ltd., with brand Name: Deleject and Afrimedical Manufacturing & Supplies Ltd.”