Jonathan Nwokpor
All Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and Medical Directors (MDs) of Federal Tertiary Hospitals are required by Federal Government mandate to only purchase needles and syringes from local manufacturers who NAFDAC has approved.
This is stated in a circular that was sent to all CMDs and MDs on Friday in Abuja and signed by Tunji Alausa, the minister of state for health.
The minister claims that the directive aims to protect the nation’s industrial sector against the influx of imported goods while simultaneously increasing domestic production.
The circular further ordered NAFDAC to cease granting licences for the importation of syringes and needles made in other countries.
Alausa clarified that the local pharmaceutical industries that make syringes and needles had been identified by the health sector as being seriously troubled by this behaviour.
He added that six of the nine regional pharmaceutical enterprises that made syringes and needles eight years ago had closed as a result of the market’s oversupply of mostly subpar products.
“Mr President has directed that this must stop. We all agreed to take the necessary steps to immediately remedy this sad situation.
“Pursuant to this, NAFDAC has been mandated to stop issuing licenses 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,” he said.
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