The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced it will send leprosy drugs to Nigeria this weekend, following the resolution of testing delays that led to a year-long shortage of vital medication for thousands of patients, including children, in need of treatment to prevent disability.
Nigeria reports over 1,000 new cases of leprosy annually. The disease, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, primarily affects the skin, peripheral nerves, and eyes. While it is treatable with multi-drug therapy, without timely intervention, leprosy can cause debilitating conditions such as blindness, paralysis, and disfiguring sores. Patients also face considerable social stigma.
The shortage of medication began in early 2024, when a bureaucratic delay in supply and new domestic regulations on imported medicines prevented the drugs from reaching Nigeria. One key component of the therapy is produced in India, where the shipment was held up due to the new testing requirements.
This delay has been part of a broader pattern of global supply challenges, with countries including India, Brazil, and Indonesia also experiencing shortages in recent years, according to the UN Special Rapporteur for Leprosy.
A WHO spokesperson confirmed that Nigeria had run out of leprosy medications, and after the UN health agency requested a one-time waiver for the new testing policy, the waiver was granted in January. The spokesperson further stated that the leprosy drugs would be shipped from India on March 8, with an expected arrival in Nigeria on March 9.
