ALERT! Nigeria Bans Children’s Ibuprofen Batches, Nail Polish, Levamisole Drugs

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has directed all Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and Medical Directors (MDs) in federal tertiary health institutions to immediately suspend the purchase and use of three health products recalled over safety concerns.

The directive was contained in a circular issued on Tuesday and signed by the Head of the Dentistry Division, Dr Gloria Uzoigwe, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary.

The ministry said the action followed two circulars issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, notifying stakeholders of the recall and withdrawal of the affected products.

The products include Impala Gel Nail Polish, which was recalled by Brazil’s health regulatory authority, ANVISA, on March 16, 2026, due to the presence of substances linked to carcinogenic and reproductive health risks, specifically Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide and N-dimethyl-p-toluidine.

Others are Children’s Ibuprofen Suspension (120ml), recalled by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on March 20, due to contamination. The recall covers Lot Numbers 7261973A and 7261974A with an expiry date of January 31, 2027, and Levamisole-containing medicines due to reports linking the products to leukoencephalopathy, a rare but serious neurological condition that affects the brain’s white matter.

The ministry directed all health institutions to immediately halt the procurement and use of the affected products and report any adverse reactions associated with them to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

It also urged strict compliance with the directive and called for its wide dissemination across health facilities.