The Nigerian Senate has listed about 42 anti-malaria drugs that have been banned in Europe but are still sold in hospitals and pharmacies and consumed by millions of Nigerians.
File photo used for illustrative purposes only
Members of the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, raised the alarm that all the forty-two (42) anti-malaria drugs banned in Europe were still being stockpiled, sold and consumed in Nigeria.
According to the Senate, the situation is already trending and generating panic as well as concern among medical practitioners and members of the public.
Against this backdrop, the Senate has mandated the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), led by Senator Olarewaju Tejuoso (APC, Ogun Central) to urgently carry out a holistic investigation into the matter and report back to the Senate for further action to save the lives of Nigerians.
The resolution of the Senate was sequel to a motion by Senator Theodore Orji (PDP, Abia Central).
In his presentation, Senator Orji said: “The Senate notes that recently the European Union banned the sale and consumption of 42 Anti-Malaria Drugs in all countries within the European Union;
“It notes that the 42 Anti-Malaria Drugs are: Alaxin 60mg tablet (dihydroartémisinine)B/8; Alaxin oral suspension (dihydroartémisinine) FL/80ml; Amodiaquine 200mg compressed B/1000; Amodiaquine 200mg compressed B/1000; Arinate 100mg tablet (artésunate) B/6; Arinate 50mg tablet (artésunate) B/6; Arsumax 50mg tablet (artésunate) B/12; Artemax 60mg tablet (dihydroartémisinine) B/8; Artémédine 40mg capsule (artemether) B/12; Artémédine 50mg tablet (artemether) B/12; and Artenam 50mg tablet (artemether) B/14.
“Also on the list are Artenam 60mg tablet (artemether) B/8; Artésiane 300mg child powder oral suspension (artemether) FL/38g; Artésunate 100mg compressed B/120; Artésunate 50mg tablet B/120; Artexin 60mg tablet (dihydroartémisinine) B/8; Camoquin 200mg tablet (amodiaquine) B/9; Camoquin 200mg tablet (amodiaquine) B/25 blisters; and others.
“Camoquin 200mg tablet (amodiaquine) B/55 blisters; Camoquin 200mg tablet (amodiquine) B/24; Camoquin 600 mg tablet (amodiaquine) B/3; Camoquin oral suspension 50mg/ 5ml (amodiaquine) FL/60ml; Cotecxin oral suspension (dihydroartémisinine) FL/80ml; Cotecxin 60mg tablet (dihydroartémisinine) B/8; Daraprim tablet (pyriméthamine) B/30; and Falcinil 50mg tablet (artésunate) B/12.”
