The WHO will send leprosy drugs to Nigeria after delays impeded patient access. The delay lasted a year due to bureaucratic issues and new testing regulations. Leprosy, caused by Mycobacterium leprae, affects thousands in Nigeria annually. Efforts are needed to improve the distribution system and ensure timely access to treatment for those affected.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that it will dispatch leprosy drugs to Nigeria this weekend, following a year-long delay caused by logistical issues and regulatory adjustments. These medications are critical for thousands of patients, particularly children, who require them for treatment to avoid severe disabilities associated with leprosy, a condition primarily caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. Despite being treatable with multi-drug therapy, without timely intervention, leprosy can lead to severe disfigurement and significant social stigma.
Nigeria experiences over 1,000 new cases of leprosy annually; however, the country faced a shortage of these essential drugs beginning in early 2024 due to bureaucratic delays, specifically an implementation of new domestic regulations concerning the testing of imported medicines. This shortage reflects a troubling trend of drug stockouts impacting various countries globally, including Brazil and Indonesia, as noted by a U.N. special rapporteur for leprosy.
A WHO spokesperson confirmed that a waiver was granted for Nigeria concerning the stringent new testing policy. As part of the shipment arrangements, it was reported that leprosy medications are scheduled to depart from India on March 8, with an expected arrival date in Nigeria on March 9.
During a recent visit to ERCC Hospital in Nasarawa, only two leprosy patients were admitted, as previously admitted patients had to be discharged due to the drug shortage. This was noted as a concerning situation, as leprosy spreads through respiratory droplets and continuous contact. Patient Awwal Musa recounted the deterioration of her health during the past year, stating that the pain and severity of her condition have worsened since discontinuing her treatment.
Health care workers emphasized their ongoing efforts to prevent permanent disabilities in leprosy patients where possible. As the situation deteriorates, they fear that losing limbs or eyesight may become an irreversible reality for many. WHO reports indicate that Nigeria is among a select group of countries with significant annual leprosy case numbers, indicative of persistent public health challenges in managing the disease.
The multi-drug therapy supplied by Novartis is typically donated for free through WHO initiatives, yet Nigeria’s delayed request for medication contributed to the ongoing crisis. The shortage was exacerbated by additional testing requirements imposed by Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, which complicated matters for the imported drug shipments.
U.N. Special Rapporteur Beatriz Miranda-Galarza commented on the structural and political inefficiencies within the multi-drug therapy distribution system, stating challenges still exist despite a well-structured process theoretically. Meanwhile, Sunday Udoh from the Leprosy Mission Nigeria criticized the situation, highlighting the grave and painful consequences faced by impoverished leprosy patients who are now without access to the life-saving medications they desperately need.
In summary, the WHO’s upcoming shipment of leprosy drugs to Nigeria marks a critical step in addressing a significant health crisis stemming from a year-long delay in treatment access. The situation exposes the vulnerabilities in the global health supply chain for leprosy medications and the dire risks faced by patients. Continued advocacy and structural reforms are essential to ensure the timely distribution of necessary treatments and to bolster efforts toward the eradication of leprosy, particularly among the most vulnerable populations.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
