Health

Breakthrough as HIV prevention drug records 100% success

Published

2 years ago

June 24, 2024

Breakthrough as HIV prevention drug records 100% success

A promising new HIV prevention drug called lenacapavir has shown 100 percent efficacy in a clinical trial among adolescent girls and young women in South Africa and Uganda.

In a release signed by Kay Marshall, Senior Communications Advisor for AVAC, the organization welcomes the groundbreaking results of the PURPOSE 1 study which enrolled over 5,300 cisgender adolescent girls and young women ages between the age of 16 and 26 in South Africa and Uganda.

The study evaluated injectable lenacapavir for PrEP and daily oral emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (F/TAF) for PrEP.

An independent data and safety monitoring board (DSMB), at a scheduled review of the trial data, found the regimen to be safe and highly effective, with no infections seen among trial participants who received injectable lenacapavir.

Regulation

HIV prevention advocate and AVAC’s executive director, Mitchell Warren hails the lenacapavir trial results as a significant advancement. He emphasized the potential of long-acting injectables to increase adherence, improve access, and reduce strain on healthcare systems.

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“We expect to see a timeline that takes into account a full analysis of PURPOSE 1 data and the coming data from PURPOSE 2 from Gilead as soon as possible, and we urge regulatory agencies to prepare to fast track regulatory review.

“We look forward to working with civil society partners, Gilead, international donors, normative agencies and national governments to ensure that this groundbreaking HIV prevention option is made available as quickly as possible and that we don’t squander this opportunity to drive down new HIV infections,” Warren said.

The Regional Stakeholder Engagement Manager for AVAC, and a member of the PURPOSE 1 Global Community Advisory Group, Nandisile Sikwana said, “We are incredibly excited about this result, especially about what it can mean for women in Africa. We applaud Gilead’s commitment to Good Participatory Practice in this and the other PURPOSE studies.

“While we wait for full data from the study, including adherence data of oral F/TAF, it is imperative that planning for rollout of lenacapavir be accelerated. We know that even with the most ambitious timeline, it will take time for lenacapavir to be rolled out”.

Health

NAFDAC Busts Illegal Herbal Factory in Lagos, Arrests Manager Over Fake Registration Number

Published

59 minutes ago

October 21, 2026

Trends Admin

NAFDAC Busts Illegal Herbal Factory in Lagos, Arrests Manager Over Fake Registration Number

LAGOS — The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a suspected illegal herbal product manufacturing facility in Agege, Lagos State, and arrested its manager over the alleged use of a falsified registration number on herbal products.

The agency disclosed the development on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, following an investigation triggered by a report published by The Guardian on October 10 concerning herbal products allegedly carrying fake NAFDAC registration numbers.

According to NAFDAC, its investigative team conducted surveillance before discovering three variants of Asheitu Adams Bitters bearing registration number A7-1827L.

However, checks through the agency’s NAFDAC Automated Product Administration and Monitoring System (NAPAMS) revealed that the registration number belonged to Greentol Cough Syrup, rather than the herbal bitters.

The agency said the discovery confirmed the fraudulent use of the registration number on the products.

During the operation, the company’s managing director and chief executive officer was reportedly absent, while the manager was arrested for further interrogation as investigations continued.

The Sun identified the arrested manager as 39-year-old Abdullazeez Saidu from Kano State. NAFDAC had not announced any court charges against him as of Wednesday.

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The agency urged members of the public to provide credible information about suspected illegal manufacturing activities to help strengthen enforcement efforts and protect consumers from potentially unsafe products.

NAFDAC provided the following channels for reporting suspected violations: its call centre numbers, 0800-1-623322 and 0700-1-623322, and the email address reforms@nafdac.gov.ng.

The discovery comes amid a series of enforcement operations by the agency against suspected counterfeit and adulterated products in Lagos and other parts of the country.

On October 14, NAFDAC reported uncovering a suspected facility at the International Trade Fair Complex in Lagos where expired alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages were allegedly being repackaged for sale. The agency also reported seizures of suspected counterfeit alcoholic drinks in other operations.

The latest operation highlights concerns about the misuse of regulatory registration numbers, which consumers often rely on when assessing whether products have been registered for sale in Nigeria.

NAFDAC has repeatedly urged consumers to verify product registration details and report suspicious products or manufacturing activities.

The agency’s investigation into the Agege facility is ongoing, and further details about the products recovered, their distribution and any potential health effects have not been publicly disclosed.

NAFDAC Busts Illegal Herbal Factory in Lagos, Arrests Manager Over Fake Registration Number

Health

FG Confirms Ebola Case in Abuja, Identifies 44 Contacts

Published

1 day ago

October 20, 2026

Trends Admin

FG Confirms Ebola Case in Abuja, Identifies 44 Contacts

The Federal Government has confirmed a case of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, after laboratory tests returned positive for a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria from Uganda.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, announced the development on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, saying health authorities had identified 44 close contacts and commenced contact tracing to prevent further transmission.

According to the minister, the patient was admitted to a private hospital in Abuja, where she received medical attention for several days before the infection was confirmed. She is currently in isolation and receiving medical care.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is coordinating the response with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant authorities.

Public health teams are tracing and monitoring people who may have been exposed to the patient, including healthcare workers, other patients, caregivers and people who travelled with her.

The government said surveillance had been intensified, while the hospital where the woman received treatment was receiving support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.

The minister urged public and private healthcare facilities across Nigeria to remain on high alert and promptly identify, isolate and report suspected cases to the appropriate public health authorities.

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Healthcare workers were also directed to maintain strict infection prevention and control practices to reduce the risk of exposure and protect patients and medical personnel.

Pate appealed to Nigerians to remain calm, vigilant and cooperative with health officials, stressing that early detection and prompt reporting were essential to containing the infection.

He noted that Nigeria had successfully contained an Ebola outbreak in 2014 and had experience and public health systems to respond to the current situation.

The government also urged anyone contacted during the tracing exercise, including passengers who may have travelled with the patient, to provide the necessary information and comply with official public health guidance.

Ebola virus disease is a serious illness that can spread through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who has developed symptoms, or through contaminated objects and materials.

Symptoms may include fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea. The incubation period ranges from two to 21 days.

Anyone who believes they may have been exposed and subsequently develops symptoms should contact public health authorities for guidance and avoid close contact with others while awaiting advice.

The NCDC operates a toll-free call centre on 6232, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for information and reports of suspected cases.

Nigeria’s latest case comes amid a wider Ebola outbreak affecting parts of Africa, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo and countries in East Africa. The NCDC had previously warned of the risk of imported infections and strengthened national preparedness measures.

The Federal Government said investigations and contact tracing were continuing, with further updates expected through the NCDC and the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease.

Authorities have urged the public to rely on verified information, follow official health advice and avoid spreading unconfirmed reports as efforts continue to contain the infection.

FG Confirms Ebola Case in Abuja, Identifies 44 Contacts

Health

NAFDAC Seizes Fake Drinks Worth Over ₦2bn at Lagos Trade Fair Complex

Published

1 week ago

October 14, 2026

Trends Admin

NAFDAC Seizes Fake Drinks Worth Over ₦2bn at Lagos Trade Fair Complex

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a suspected large-scale counterfeit alcoholic beverage operation at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, seizing products reportedly valued at more than ₦2 billion.

The operation, conducted on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, followed intelligence reports about suspected illegal activities within the commercial complex.

The raid reportedly led to the discovery of more than 20 illegal stores allegedly used for the production and distribution of counterfeit alcoholic beverages and other prohibited activities.

According to reports on the operation, the facilities were concealed within makeshift stores originally designated as parking spaces within the complex.

During the exercise, NAFDAC officials reportedly discovered individuals allegedly involved in blending and counterfeiting popular alcoholic beverage brands, revalidating expired and unsafe drinks for resale, and stockpiling banned imported products.

Two suspects were reportedly apprehended during the operation, while the seized products were evacuated from the premises.

The discovery has raised concerns about the possible circulation of counterfeit, expired and unsafe alcoholic beverages in Nigerian markets, particularly products repackaged to appear genuine.

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NAFDAC has repeatedly warned that the consumption of adulterated or unsafe beverages could expose consumers to serious health risks.

The agency urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of illegal manufacturing, relabelling, revalidation and sale of regulated products.

Consumers were also advised to exercise caution when purchasing alcoholic beverages, particularly products with suspicious packaging, questionable expiry dates or other signs of tampering.

NAFDAC provided its official complaints line, 0800-1-NAFDAC (0800-1-623322), for members of the public to report suspected violations.

The latest enforcement action forms part of the agency’s efforts to combat counterfeit and substandard products and protect public health.

Investigations are expected to establish the full extent of the alleged activities and identify other individuals who may be connected to the suspected distribution network.