In furtherance of its sustained efforts to safeguard public health through regulatory enforcement drives against peddlers and vendors of counterfeit and expired food and medicines, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intercepted counterfeit malaria medicines valued at over N1.2 billion during its latest raids in Lagos State.
According to the agency, the fake medicines originated from Ajanta Pharma Limited, Mumbai, India and were falsely declared as spare parts in the shipping container.
It stated: “NAFDAC has intercepted 277 cartons of counterfeit and unregistered Malamal Forte malaria drugs, valued at over N1.2 billion, in a warehouse located in the Ilasa-Oshodi area of Lagos State.”
The agency stated that it raided a warehouse located in the Ilasa-Oshodi area, leading to the discovery of 277 cartons of unregistered Malamal Forte malaria drugs, which were illegally imported and concealed in cartons labelled as Diclofenac Potassium 50mg
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It notified the public on the circulation of counterfeit Artemether/Lumefantrine tablets under the brand name Aflotin 20/120 nationwide, hinting that the fake products are reported by the genuine manufacturer, Ajanta Pharma Limited, Mumbai, India, after discrepancies were discovered in packaging and artwork compared to the authentic product.
NAFDAC confirmed that the counterfeit Aflotin 20/120 did not match Ajanta’s approved packaging or overprinting style and is therefore falsified, while the genuine Aflotin 20/120 tablets combine Artemether 20mg and Lumefantrine 120mg and are used to treat uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum.
It stated that the public alert formed part of its series of recent warnings on substandard and falsified products, including Oxytocin injections, Postinor 2 and other drugs.
In her remarks on the agency’s latest findings, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, condemned the smuggling of unregistered drugs into the country and reassured the public of the agency’s commitment to safeguard the health of the people
Adeyeye assured that the agency, through the full support of the Presidency and Federal Ministry of Health, would continue to intensify its operations to rid the country of harmful and substandard food and pharmaceutical products.
