Fake anti-malarial in circulation, NAFDAC alerts
The public has been made aware of the nationwide distribution of counterfeit Combiart Dispersible Tablets 20/120mg by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
This was revealed by NAFDAC on Thursday in a post on its X account.
According to the agency, Strides Arcolab Limited, an Indian company, manufactures the substance.
Officers from NAFDAC's Post Marketing Surveillance Directorate conducted surveillance operations in the Federal Capital Territory and Rivers State, where they found this product.
"The product had zero active pharmaceutical ingredients, according to the laboratory report of the analysis done on it. Additionally, it was noted that the goods had two distinct date marks. The product licence has expired, according to the NAFDAC database of registered products, and the NAFDAC Registration Number on it is wrong and not for the product.
“The Artemether and Lumefantrine combination belongs to a group of medicines known as antimalarials. It treats malaria, a red blood cell infection transmitted by the bite of a mosquito. However, this medicine is not used to treat severe or complicated malaria,” it said.
The agency warned that counterfeit or falsified medicines endanger people’s health because they do not comply with regulatory standards, which means the safety, quality, and efficacy of these products are not ensured.
It added that the use of counterfeit medicines often fails to effectively treat diseases or conditions, leading to serious health consequences, including death.
The product batch number is 7225119, and its NAFDAC registration number is A11-0299, according to NAFDAC.
It stated that June 2023 and February 2023 are the product's manufacture dates. The dates of expiration are June 2026 and May 2026.
Strides Arcolab Limited, 36/7, Suragajakkanahalli, Indlavadi Cross, Anekal Taluk, Bangalore-562 106, India, is the name and address of the manufacturer.
All state coordinators and zonal directors of NAFDAC have been instructed to conduct surveillance and seize counterfeit goods within their respective states and zones. In order to prevent the importation, distribution, sale, and use of counterfeit goods, importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare providers, and carers are now encouraged to exercise caution and vigilance along the supply chain. All medical supplies must be purchased from licensed or approved vendors. The genuineness of the goods and physical condition should be carefully checked.
“Healthcare professionals and consumers are advised to report any suspicion of the sale of substandard and falsified medicines or medical devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.
“Similarly, healthcare professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of medicinal products or devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med- safety application available for download on android and IOS stores or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng,” it said.
It noted that the notice would be uploaded to the World Health Organisation Global Surveillance and Monitoring System.
