By Muhammad Amaan
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted the public to the recall of Mivacron and Nimbex injections over safety concerns.
NAFDAC, in a statement on its X handle on Monday, said the products were manufactured by Aspen Pharmacare Asia Limited.
It said the recall followed safety concerns approved by the Hong Kong Department of Health.
According to the agency, one batch of Mivacron Injection 0.2 per cent and five batches of Nimbex Injection 2mg/mL were affected.
“The recall was made as a precautionary measure due to potential quality issues identified by the manufacturer,” NAFDAC said.
It said investigations revealed deficiencies in the manufacturer’s manual visual inspection process.
NAFDAC added that “not all glass particles in the ampoules were likely detected,” prompting a voluntary market recall.
The injections, containing mivacurium and cisatracurium, are prescription medicines used as adjuncts to general anaesthesia.
NAFDAC advised healthcare professionals and consumers to report suspected substandard medicines to its nearest office or via its e-reporting platforms
Meanwhile the agency reassured Nigerians, especially parents, that all Nestlé infant formulae approved in Nigeria are safe.
In a statement on Monday, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, said approved products were not included in Nestlé UK’s voluntary recall across over 50 countries.
“The approved infant formulae marketed in Nigeria are not part of the voluntary recall announced by Nestlé UK,” she said.
She explained the recall followed the potential presence of cereulide, a toxin that can cause nausea and vomiting if ingested.
According to her, cereulide is a highly heat-resistant toxin produced by certain strains of the bacterium Bacillus cereus.
Prof. Adeyeye said the SMA range sold in Nigeria is manufactured at Nestlé Tuas Factory, Singapore, and duly registered with NAFDAC.
She listed the products as SMA Gold 1, SMA Gold 2, and SMA Gold 3, all carrying valid NAFDAC registration numbers.
According to her, NAFDAC has verified that SMA and NAN infant formulae produced for Nigeria are not among affected batches recalled elsewhere.
“The alert was issued purely as a precaution, in line with our duty to keep Nigerians informed of global food safety concerns,” she said.
Adeyeye warned that risks from unauthorised imports, online purchases, or personal carriage during travel cannot be entirely ruled out.
She said NAFDAC maintains strict oversight through product registration, routine surveillance, and post-market monitoring of infant nutrition products.
The Director-General reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to protecting public health, particularly infants and other vulnerable groups.
“Nigerians should rely only on verified information from NAFDAC and relevant authorities,” Adeyeye advised.
She urged the public to discard any recalled products found and report suspected sales or distribution to the nearest NAFDAC office.
