THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH TANZANIA MEDICINES AND MEDICAL DEVICES AUTHORITY

ISO 9001: 2015: CERTIFIED

PUBLIC NOTICE

23^rd June, 2026

BAN ON THE USE OF MEDICINAL PRODUCTS CONTAINING LEVAMISOLE AS ACTIVE PHARMACEUTICAL INGREDIENT

1. Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA) monitors the safety of registered medicinal products circulating on the market by reviewing safety reports received from both local and international sources. This information is collected, analyzed, and subsequently presented to the Vigilance Technical Committee (VTC) for evaluation, risk assessment, and regulatory recommendations.
2. Through this mechanism, the Authority has identified that human medicinal products containing Levamisole as the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API), used to treat worm infections, can cause a neurological disorder known scientifically as Leukoencephalopathy. If not treated early, this condition can lead to severe health consequences, including death.
3. In light of this, TMDA wishes to inform the public that all products containing this API are banned from the Tanzanian market. Consequently, they will no longer be permitted for manufacturing, importation, distribution, or sale within the country for human consumption
4. Furthermore, all importers and distributors are directed to halt supply immediately from the date of this announcement and recall these items within 14 days. Similarly, any member of the public in possession of medications containing Levamisole should surrender them to the TMDA offices located in Dodoma, Arusha, Mbeya, Ruvuma, Tabora, Mwanza, Geita, Dar es Salaam, and Morogoro regions.
5. The Authority remains committed to fulfilling its mandate of protecting public health by ensuring that all medicinal products on the market meet the required standards of quality, safety, and efficacy. Additionally, TMDA urges the public to report the presence of falsified and substandard (SF) products immediately to prevent potential harm to consumers.

Issued by:
Director General,
Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority
P.O. Box 1253, Dodoma.
Tel; +255 222 450512/658 445222/777 700002
Fax: +255 222450793
Email: info@tmda.go.tz
Website: www.tmda.go.tz