The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has warned the public against the use of specific malaria and HIV diagnostic kits due to concerns about their quality and reliability. The agency said the affected products may produce inaccurate results, posing risks to public health.
In a public alert, NAFDAC advised healthcare providers, medical laboratory operators, distributors, and the general public to immediately discontinue the use and distribution of the identified diagnostic kits. The agency stated that the warning followed reports and findings indicating that the products did not meet required standards.
NAFDAC explained that unreliable diagnostic kits could lead to false results, including false negatives or false positives. Such outcomes, it said, may delay proper treatment, expose patients to unnecessary medication, or create a false sense of security.
The agency noted that accurate diagnosis is critical in the management and control of malaria and HIV. It stressed that compromised test kits undermine efforts to combat the diseases and protect public health.
According to NAFDAC, the affected products were either not registered with the agency or failed to comply with regulatory requirements. It added that surveillance and post-marketing monitoring activities led to the detection of the quality issues.
Healthcare professionals were urged to verify the registration status of diagnostic products before procurement and use. NAFDAC encouraged practitioners to source medical devices only from authorized and reputable suppliers.
The agency also called on distributors and retailers to immediately withdraw the affected kits from circulation. It warned that continued sale or use of substandard or unregistered medical products is a violation of regulatory laws.
NAFDAC said it is working to trace the distribution channels of the products and prevent further circulation. It added that appropriate regulatory actions would be taken against individuals or companies found to be involved in the importation or sale of the affected kits.
Members of the public were advised to report any suspected substandard or falsified medical products to the nearest NAFDAC office. The agency emphasized the importance of vigilance in safeguarding the integrity of the healthcare system.
Malaria and HIV remain significant public health challenges in Nigeria. Health authorities have consistently highlighted the importance of early and accurate diagnosis as a key component of prevention and treatment strategies.
NAFDAC reiterated its commitment to ensuring that all medical products in circulation meet established standards of quality, safety, and efficacy. It assured the public that it will continue routine inspections, market surveillance, and enforcement actions to protect consumers.
The agency urged Nigerians to remain cautious and to seek testing only at accredited health facilities that use approved and verified diagnostic kits. It added that maintaining confidence in medical testing is essential to national disease control efforts.
