NAFDAC warns public against circulating counterfeit Phesgo, Avastin cancer drugs in Nigeria

In a statement shared on its official X handle on Thursday, NAFDAC alerted healthcare providers and the public about the discovery of suspected counterfeit Phesgo® 600mg/600mg/10ml in Lagos, labeled with batch C5290S20.

The alert also highlighted the detection of counterfeit Avastin 400mg/16ml in Kano and Abuja, involving batches H0223B08 and H4239A70.

According to NAFDAC, the Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH) Roche received a complaint from a doctor at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH-NSIA).

“Images of the suspected product were examined by Roche and compared to the genuine samples retained for reference,” the agency noted.

The agency emphasized the risks of counterfeit drugs, warning that the illegal marketing of counterfeit medicines poses serious health risks, as it undermines the safety, quality, and effectiveness of these products due to a lack of regulatory compliance provisions.

The correct manufacturing site for genuine Phesgo 600mg/600mg is F.Hoffman La Roche Limited, Wurmisweg, CH-4303, Kaiseraugst, Switzerland.

NAFDAC also raised concerns about counterfeit Avastin 400mg/16ml discovered in Kano and Abuja. Two counterfeit batches, H0223B08 and H4239A70, were identified.

The agency also revealed that no batch tracing was possible for Avastin 400mg/16ml with batch no H4239A70 as this is not a genuine Roche product and the batch number doesn’t exist in their database.

Avastin 400mg Injection is an anticancer medication. It is used in the treatment of cancer of the colon and rectum, non-small cell lung cancer, kidney cancer, brain tumor, ovarian and cervical cancer.   It helps to prevent the growth of new blood vessels that feed tumors and stops tumors from growing, NAFDAC explained.

The correct manufacturing site for genuine Avastin vial 400mg/16ml is Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Sandhofer Strasse 11668305, Mannheim, Germany.

NAFDAC calls on importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers to exercise caution and vigilance to avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and use of counterfeit Avastin.

The agency advised that all medical products must be obtained only from authorized or licensed suppliers, and their authenticity and physical condition should be thoroughly verified.

“Anyone in possession of any of the counterfeit lots is advised to immediately discontinue sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.   

“If you have used any of the products, or someone you know, has used it, or suffered any adverse reaction/event after use, you are advised to seek immediate medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional,” NAFDAC cautions.

Healthcare professionals and consumers are advised to report any suspicion of substandard and falsified medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or via email: [email protected]

Healthcare professionals and consumers are advised to report any suspicion of substandard and falsified medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or via email: [email protected]