NAFDAC Issues Urgent Warning on Fake Cancer Drug in Circulation

By Achimi Muktar

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised a red flag about a suspected counterfeit cancer drug, Phesgo® 600mg/600mg/10ml injection, bearing the batch number C5290S20.

This alarming revelation followed a report from a doctor at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), who identified the suspicious drug when it was presented by a patient. Fortunately, the drug had not been administered, as it was found to closely match another previously flagged counterfeit batch, C3809C51.

How the Fake Was Exposed

Phesgo’s manufacturer, Roche, conducted an investigation using images of the suspected product and confirmed its falsified status. Their review revealed glaring inconsistencies, including:

A non-existent batch number.

Incorrect language on the packaging.

Missing tamper-evidence features.

Mismatched labels compared to genuine products.

These discrepancies underscored the dangers of counterfeit medicines, which NAFDAC warns are not only ineffective but pose significant risks to public health.

NAFDAC Sounds the Alarm

In an urgent statement, NAFDAC implored healthcare providers and the general public to exercise caution and ensure that medicines are sourced only from authorised suppliers.

“The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) wishes to inform healthcare providers and the public of a report of a suspected counterfeit Phesgo® 600mg/600mg/10ml, labelled with batch C5290S20,” the statement read.

The agency also directed its zonal directors and state coordinators to intensify surveillance to identify and remove the counterfeit drug from circulation.

The Public’s Role in Fighting Counterfeit Drugs

NAFDAC urged importers, distributors, healthcare workers, and consumers to remain vigilant and verify the authenticity of all medical products before use. They also called for swift reporting of any suspected counterfeit medicines or adverse effects from medical products through the following channels:

Visit the nearest NAFDAC office.

Call the toll-free line: 0800-162-3322.

Email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.

Use the Med-Safety app available for Android and iOS.

Submit reports via the NAFDAC website at www.nafdac.gov.ng.

A National Health Threat

Counterfeit medicines are a silent but deadly threat in Nigeria’s healthcare system, undermining patient safety and public confidence. With this latest discovery, NAFDAC is working to protect the nation from the potentially fatal consequences of these fake drugs.

A Call to Action

The public is urged to heed NAFDAC’s warning and help combat the circulation of counterfeit medicines. By staying informed and reporting suspicious drugs, individuals can play a critical role in safeguarding lives and ensuring the integrity of the healthcare system.

For cancer patients and their families, this is a sobering reminder to double-check every medical product to avoid falling victim to deadly deceptions.