NAFDAC Warns Nigerians About Circulation Of Fake Anti-Malaria Drug

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised an alarm over the circulation of counterfeit Combiart (Artemether Lumefantrine 20/120mg) Dispersible Tablets in Nigeria.

In a public alert numbered 043/2024 and published on its website, NAFDAC identified the fake drug’s manufacturing dates as February 2023 and June 2023, with expiry dates of May 2026 and June 2026.

The counterfeit batch bears the number 7225119 and NAFDAC Registration No: A11-0299.

The manufacturer listed on the packaging is Strides Arcolab Limited, located at 36/7, Suragajakkanahalli, Indlavadi Cross, Anekal Taluk, Bangalore-562106, India.

To address the issue, NAFDAC has instructed its zonal directors and state coordinators to intensify surveillance and remove the counterfeit product from circulation.

The agency urged importers, distributors, retailers, and healthcare providers to remain vigilant and avoid dealing in the fake drug.

It emphasized that all medical products should only be sourced from authorized suppliers, and their authenticity and condition should be thoroughly inspected.

NAFDAC encouraged the public to report suspicious activities involving falsified or substandard medicines to their nearest office, via the toll-free line 0800-162-3322, or by email at [email protected].

Consumers and healthcare professionals were also advised to report adverse effects of medical products through the Med-Safety app, available on Android and iOS, or by emailing [email protected].

NAFDAC assured Nigerians that this information would be shared with the World Health Organization’s Global Surveillance and Monitoring System (GSMS) to combat the spread of counterfeit drugs globally.