NAFDAC tightens regulation of blood and blood products to boost safety
NAFDAC has begun strengthening regulatory oversight of blood and blood products in Nigeria to improve their quality, safety and availability, following a statement issued on Friday and backed by Health Minister Muhammad Pate. The agency says blood and blood products are essential medicines that must meet WHO recommendations for national regulatory oversight, covering the entire transfusion chain from donor assessment to eventual use.
The move matters because blood transfusion is critical for emergencies, surgery, childbirth and treating conditions needing blood replacement. Effective regulation will ensure safety and quality standards at every stage, bringing Nigeria in line with African peers such as Egypt, Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Senegal and Rwanda that already regulate blood as medicines. NAFDAC points to its upgraded capacity—WHO Maturity Level 3, a prequalified drug lab, international accreditation and a dedicated Vaccines, Biologicals and Medical Devices Directorate—as the foundation for this oversight, with an ultra-modern laboratory under development.
NAFDAC’s Director-General Mojisola Adeyeye stressed that success depends on collaboration among government institutions, healthcare providers, blood establishments, development partners and other stakeholders. The agency invites engagement with its new directorate and says the framework will strengthen public confidence in the healthcare system. Staying informed about these changes helps patients and providers anticipate safer blood services nationwide.