The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced that all donated medicines and vaccines entering Nigeria under the recent agreement with the United States government will undergo rigorous testing for quality, safety, and efficacy, particularly those not manufactured in the US. This initiative is part of efforts to maintain adequate supplies for HIV/AIDS treatment following the withdrawal of support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

In a statement released by NAFDAC's Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, the agency emphasized its commitment to ensuring that all medical products meet the necessary standards before being distributed within the country. The agency will also implement a technology-driven Track and Trace system to monitor the distribution of these medical supplies, ensuring transparency and safety in the supply chain.

NAFDAC clarified that while products manufactured in the US and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may receive expedited approval under its regulatory-reliance framework, this does not diminish Nigeria's authority to regulate the entry of medicines and vaccines. The agency reassured the public that it retains full responsibility for evaluating applications, inspecting products, and conducting necessary testing.

The agency's statement comes in light of the Nigerian government's efforts to sustain HIV/AIDS interventions amid the exit of USAID. Prof. Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, reiterated that regulatory reliance does not strip NAFDAC of its powers, affirming that the agency will continue to oversee the safety and efficacy of all medical products entering Nigeria.

NAFDAC highlighted its past commitment to safety by recalling that all COVID-19 vaccines supplied to Nigeria during the pandemic were tested at its Vaccine, Biologics and Medical Devices Laboratory in Lagos, despite being deemed safe by the World Health Organization. Additionally, antiretroviral and malaria drugs supplied through the Global Fund are tested annually by the agency to ensure they meet the required standards.

The Track and Trace system, which was successfully used to monitor COVID-19 vaccine distribution, will now be applied to all medical products supplied under the Nigeria-US agreement. This system aims to enhance visibility across the medical supply chain and will help NAFDAC track the movement of products throughout the country.

NAFDAC has reassured the public of its commitment to safeguarding health and ensuring that only safe and effective medical products are available in Nigeria. The agency stated, "As the Agency with the mandate to safeguard the health of Nigerians, NAFDAC will NOT fail to carry out this responsibility as enshrined in the mandate." The public can rest assured that regulatory oversight, thorough product testing, and advanced monitoring will remain central to NAFDAC's operations under this new agreement with the US government.