The Federal Government, FG, of Nigeria has ordered that all Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and Medical Directors (MDs) of Federal Tertiary Hospitals purchase needles and syringes only from NAFDAC-approved local manufacturers.
The new directive is contained in a circular written to all CMDs and MDs, which was signed by Dr Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health on Friday.
According to the minister, the directive aims to stimulate domestic output while also protecting the country’s industrial sector against international imports.
The circular also directed NAFDAC to halt providing licenses for the importation of foreign-made needles and syringes.
Alausa claimed the health sector has dented local pharmaceutical firms that create needles and syringes, which were in significant danger due of the practice.
He also said that 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 the market.
“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 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,” he said.
Alausa said ”all our tertiary hospitals are hereby directed to procure needles and syringes for your hospital needs from only the NAFDAC-approved local manufacturers listed below are listed 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 and Supplies Ltd.”
He also listed some of the distributors of the listed companies in some states of the Federation for easy access to assist in making the procurement process easier in the various institutions.