The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a critical warning regarding the circulation of counterfeit Combiart (Artemether Lumefantrine 20/120mg) Dispersible Tablets in Nigeria.
In a public alert numbered 043/2024, published on its official website, NAFDAC revealed that the fake drug batches in question carry manufacturing dates of February 2023 and June 2023, with expiration dates listed as May 2026 and June 2026.
The counterfeit products are identified by Batch No: 7225119 and NAFDAC Registration No: A11-0299.
The counterfeit drugs falsely claim to be manufactured by Strides Arcolab Limited, a pharmaceutical company based in Bangalore, India.
To curb the spread of these fake products, NAFDAC has directed its zonal directors and state coordinators to ramp up surveillance and remove the counterfeit drugs from supply chains across the nation.
The agency has also called on importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers to exercise heightened caution. It strongly advised against the distribution or use of the counterfeit Combiart tablets and emphasized the importance of sourcing medical products exclusively from authorized suppliers while ensuring their authenticity and physical condition.
NAFDAC has encouraged the public to report any suspected cases of counterfeit drugs or medical devices to the nearest NAFDAC office. This collaborative effort is crucial in protecting public health and ensuring that fake medications are swiftly eradicated from the market.
“Healthcare professionals and patients are similarly encouraged to report adverse or side effects related to the use of medicinal products or devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng,” the alert stated.
Additionally, NAFDAC said Nigerians can report issues through the Med-safety app available on Android and iOS, or via email at pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng. even as it assured that this information would also be shared with the World Health Organization’s Global Surveillance and Monitoring System (GSMS).
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