Nigeria to receive leprosy drugs from WHO after year-long delay

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says it will send leprosy drugs to Nigeria during the weekend after a year-long delay.

Leprosy, also known as Hansen disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused mainly by a type of bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae.

The disease affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, and the eyes.

However, leprosy is curable with multi-drug therapy, and treatment in the early stages can prevent disability.

According to Reuters, Nigeria ran out of stock of the multi-drug therapy in early 2024 due to a bureaucratic delay in supplies and new domestic testing regulations on imported medicines.

The drugs are made by Novartis and donated for free to a WHO programme.

Sources in the health sector reportedly said the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) required additional testing for doses produced by Sandoz, a spin-off company of Novartis, when the shipment reached Nigeria because that component was made in Indian facilities.

A WHO spokesperson reportedly said the organisation requested a one-time waiver on the new testing policy, and it was granted in January.

“A dispatch of leprosy drugs from India has been confirmed for 8 March, with arrival in Nigeria on 9 March,” the spokesperson said.