Blessing Bello, Reporting
THE Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has ordered the immediate recall of a popular gel nail polish brand, a batch of children’s ibuprofen suspension, and all medicines containing levamisole following serious safety alerts from Brazilian and United States regulators.
The directive, contained in a circular dated 4th June 2026 obtained by Stonix News online, was sent to all Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors nationwide.
It follows two separate notifications from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Nail Polish Cancer Risk
Impala Gel Nail Polish, manufactured in Brazil, is being withdrawn after the country’s health regulator ANVISA identified the presence of two hazardous substances: Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide and N-dimethyl-p-toluidine.
Both chemicals are classified as carcinogenic and pose reproductive risks. The Brazilian authority issued its alert on 16th March 2026.
Contaminated Children’s Medicine
In a separate warning, the United States Food and Drug Administration recalled two lots of Children’s Ibuprofen Suspension (120 ml) on 20th March 2026 due to contamination.
The affected batches carry lot numbers 7261973A and 7261974A, with an expiry date of 31st January 2027. Health officials have not disclosed the nature of the contaminant but have urged immediate suspension of use.
Levamisole Neurological Danger
The most sweeping action concerns all medicines containing levamisole, a drug formerly used as an anti-parasitic and occasionally as an immune modulator.
The ministry cited “identified risks of leukoencephalopathy” – a rare but serious neurological condition that damages the brain’s white matter.
No specific brands or manufacturers were listed, meaning the recall applies universally to any levamisole-containing product on the Nigerian market.
Compliance Order
Dr Gloria Uzoigwe, Head of the Dentistry Division, signed the circular on behalf of the Permanent Secretary.
It instructs all healthcare facilities to “immediately suspend the purchase and use of the affected products”.
The directive also requires clinicians and pharmacists to report any adverse reactions linked to these products to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
“Please ensure strict compliance and wide dissemination of this information,” the circular read.
NAFDAC has been tasked with monitoring the recall and investigating any existing stock of the recalled items across hospital pharmacies, retail outlets and wholesale distributors.
Patients who have used any of the affected products have been advised to consult their physicians if they experience unusual symptoms – particularly neurological signs such as confusion, difficulty walking or vision changes in the case of levamisole exposure.
The ministry has not indicated whether any adverse effects have already been recorded in Nigeria.
