The control of drugs, food, and cosmetics in Nigeria is vested in the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). The agency was established by Decree No. 15 of 1993 as amended by Decree No. 19 of 1999 and now the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control Act Cap N1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004 to regulate and control the manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, advertisement, sale and use of Food, Drugs, Cosmetics, Medical Devices, Packaged Water, Chemicals and Detergents (collectively known as regulated products). The agency was officially established in October 1999. The Mission of the agency is to safeguard public health by ensuring that only the right quality drugs, food and other regulated products are manufactured, imported, distributed, advertised, sold and used in Nigeria. SEE How to Identify Fake Medicines in Nigeria
The following are a list of banned or restricted drugs, food, and cosmetics in Nigeria:
ANALGIN
This is a pain-killer .
Reason for ban: Bone marrow depression.
Brand name: Novalgin
CISAPRIDE
Acidity, constipation.
Reason for ban: irregular heartbeat
Brand name: Ciza, Syspride
DROPERIDOL
Anti-depressant.
Reason for ban: Irregular heartbeat.
Brand name: Droperol
FURAZOLIDONE
Antidiarrhoeal.
Reason for ban: Cancer.
Brand name: Furoxone, Lomofen
NIMESULIDE
Painkiller, fever.
Reason for ban: Liver failure.
Brand name: Nise, Nimulid
NITROFURAZONE
Antibacterial cream.
Reason for ban: Cancer.
Brand name: Furacin
PHENOLPHTHALEIN
Laxative.
Reason for ban: Cancer.
Brand name: Agarol
PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE
cold and cough.
Reason for ban: stroke.
Brand name: D’cold , Vicks Action-500, Procold etc.
OXYPHENBUTAZONE
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Reason for ban: Bone marrow depression.
Brand name: Sioril, Buta etc.,
PIPERAZINE
Anti-worms.
Reason for ban: Nerve damage.
Brand name: Piperazine
QUINIODOCHLOR
Anti-diarrhoeal.
Reason for ban: Damage to sight.
Brand name: Enteroquinol.
Controlled drugs that are prohibited from being imported into the country are as follows:
Amphetamine
Dexamphetamine
Methamphetamine
Chlormezanone
Methaqualone
Methylphenidate
Pemoline
Phenmetrazine
Phencyclidine
Secobarbital
All drugs prohibited by ministerial Administrative Regulation eg. Phenylbutazone
Read: Drug Abuse In Nigeria: Causes, Effects, Statistics And Solution
Drugs and chemicals which will require authorization and permits to import and clear from NAFDAC before importation.
Bulk Narcotics (for end-user manufacturers e.g. codeine pholcodeine only) finished
Narcotics can only be imported by Federal Ministry of Health.
- All benzodiazepines e.g.
– Diazepam
– Bromazepam
– Nitrazepam
– Flunitrazepam
– Chlordiazepoxide
– Clobazam
– Midazolam etc
iii. Barbiturates
e.g.
– Phenobarbital
– Thiopentone sodium e.t.c
- Tricyclic antidepressants
e.g. imipramine, clomipramine, Amytryptilline e.t.c
- Other controlled drugs
Pentazocine
Ephedrine pseudoephedrine
Ergometrine, Ergotamine
chloramphenicol
Dipyrone
Saccharin (for toothpaste manufacturers only)
Caffeine
Lysergide/LSD-25
Mescaline Parheyl
Psiloein, Psilotsin Psiliocybine
Tetrahydrocannabinol
Amobarbital
Cyclobarbital
Glutethimide
Pentobarbital
Secobarbital
Amfepramone
Barbital
Ethcylorvynol
Ethinamate
Meprobamate
Methylphenobarbital
Methyprylon
Phenobarbital
Pipradrol
SPA
Cobalt preparation
Cyclizine
Sulphamethoxydiazine
Sulphadimethoxine
Aminopyrine and Dipyrone
Acecarbromal
Carbromal
Bromosoval
Metallic and Its compounds
Hexachlorophene
Elipten
Meclozine
Bithionol
Imipramine
Efocaine
Neonovum
Xenazoic acid or Xenalamine
Dithlazanine iodide
Chlorophentermine
Cyclamates, Cyclohexylemine, and their derivatives
Chloramphenicol and its preparations
Caffeine
Ephedrine and its salt
- Controlled solvents chemical substance that required permits to import and to clear
– Acetic Anhydrate
– Acetone
– Anthranilic Acid
– N-Acetyl-Anthranilic Acid
– Ephedrine
– Ergometrine- Ergotinine
– Ergotamine
– Ethyl Ether
– Hydrochloric Acid
– Isosafrole
– Lysergic Acid
– Methyl Ethyl Ketone
– 3, 4-Methylenedioxy
– Phenyl-2- Propanone
– 1-Phenyl-2- Propanone
– Phenylacetic Acid
– piperidine
– piperonal
– potassium permanganate
– pseudoephedrine
– Safrole
– Toluene
Non-nutritive sweeteners, particularly saccharin and cylamates are not permitted in drug products.
- Bleaching agents e.g. Mercury and its compounds, hydroquinone are not permitted in cosmetic products.
- Lanoline and Boric acid are not permitted in baby products.
The Under listed are prohibited ingredients in Cosmetics
Chlorofluorocarbon
Chloroform
Chlorofluorocarbon propellants
Halogenated salicylanilides
Hexachlorophene
Methylene Chloride
Vinyl Chloride
Zirconium
The under-listed food products are prohibited from being imported into Nigeria either by ways of trade or otherwise
i) Meat (whether frozen or not)
ii) Chicken (whether frozen or not)
iii) Fish (whether frozen or not except those caught and landed by vessels licensed and authorized by the appropriate Nigerian Authority).
iv). Potassium Bromate as bread improver is not permitted.
v)Use of non-nutritive sweeteners particularly saccharin and cyclamate in food product.
LIST OF BANNED/RESTRICTED PESTICIDES IN NIGERIA
Biapacryl
Captafol
Chlordane
Chlordimeform
DDT Dieldrine
Dinoseb & DinosedSalts
Ethylene Dichloride
Heptachior
Lindane
Parathion
Methyl Parathion
Phosphamidon
Monocroptophos
Methamidophos
Chlorobenzilite
Toxaphene
Pentachlorophenol
Ethylene Oxide
HCF Mixed Isomer BHC
EDB1,2 dichloromoethene
2,4,5 dichlorophenoxy Acetic acids
Endrine
Mirex
Ethylene Dichloride
Hexachlorobenzene
Endosulphan
Delta HCH
Flouroacetamide
Methyl Bromide
Dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethan (DPT)
Dibromoehlors propann
Diallate (Anadex)
Monocrotophor
Paraquat Bicloride
Chlordane
Dinoseb(Dinitrobutyl phenol)
Delta H.C.H (1,2,3,5,6-Hexachlorocyclohexane (organochlorine)
Camma.H.c.h (benzene Haxachloride or lindane)
Aldrin
Diedrin (organochlorine)
Texaopene (campoechlor)
Endrin
Heptachlor(organochlorine)
Pentachlorophenol
LIST OF SOME BANNED, RESTRICTED, OR CONTROLLED FOOD ADDITIVES
- Blue Asbestor (Crocidolite)
- White Abestor (Chrysolite)
- Potassium Bromate
- Nitrogen Trichloride
- Diethyl Pyrocarbon
- Monochloroacetic acid
- Thiourea
- Cobalt Salts & its derivatives
- Polyoxyethylene-8-stearate
- Oil of Calamus
- Safrole
- Cinnamyl anthranilate
- Coumarin
- Calamus and its derivatives
- Dulcin (p-ethoxy-phenylurea)
- Ethylene glycol
- Nordihydro gualaretic acid (NDGA)
- Caffeine (color)
- Acid fuchsine
- Alkanet (Alkane)
- Citrus Red No 2
- Ponceau Sx
- Ponceau 3R
- Ponceau 6R
- Red FB
- Red 6B
- Rose Bengal
- Scarlet GN
- Toney Red
- Tetrabromofluoresein
- Eosine
- Tetrachloro-tetrabromfluresein
- Calcium carbonate
- Carbon black
- Charcoal NF-XI
- Ferrous sulphate
- Cudbear logwood chips & extract
- Ferric chloride
- Safflower
- FD & C Green No 1
- FD & C Green No 2
- Red No 1
- Red No 4
- FD & C violet No 1
SEE: What is Terfamex
Drug-Related Laws In Nigeria
There are various laws that regulate and control the manufacture, sale, and distribution of drugs in Nigeria.
They include:
Poisons and Pharmacy Act, Cap 366 of 1990: This Act regulates the compounding, sale,
distribution, supply and dispensing of drugs and provides different levels of control for different categories of drugs and poisons.
Food and Drugs Act Cap 150 of 1990: This Act prohibits the sale of certain foods, drugs
cosmetics and devices as treatment for certain diseases. The Act prohibits the importation, exportation, distribution and sale of specified drugs. It also prohibits practices such as misleading packaging, labeling, and advertising, as well as manufacturing food and drugs in unsanitary conditions. It conveys the power to appoint inspecting officers and food and drug analysts.
Counterfeit and Fake Drugs (miscellaneous provisions) Act, Cap 73 of 1990: This Act prohibits the production, importation, manufacture, sale and distribution of any counterfeit, adulterated banned or fake drugs. It also prohibits persons to sell any drug in an open market without permission from the proper authority.
Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, Decree 91 of 1992: It repealed the Pharmacists Act of 1964. This decree established the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria which is charged with the following responsibilities: (a) Determine the standard of knowledge and skill required of persons seeking to become registered members of the pharmacy profession, (b) Establish and maintain a register of persons qualified to practice as members of the Pharmacy profession, (c) Prepare and review the code of conduct, and (d)Regulate and control the practice of the Pharmacy profession. The Council has an investigating panel and disciplinary committee to discipline erring pharmacists as appropriate. Read:10 Commonly Abused Drugs In Nigeria
