NAFDAC Raises Alarm Over Fake Antibiotics Being Sold Around The Country, Tells How To Identify It

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians about fake Augmentin 625mg tablets that are now being sold nationwide.

The fake antibiotic, according to a statement from the health department on Monday, October 24, has batch number 562626, a manufacturing date of April 2021, and an expiration date of April 2024.

The item also bears a false NAFDAC registration number 04-1928.

According to the statement, “No inscription “manufactured by” is written on the label, only the address. Manufacturing and Expiry dates do not meet the acceptable format. No MAS scratch number for verification. The logo “gsk” is not properly positioned as on the original.

“Please note that the genuine Augmentin 625mg has legible product labelling information including date markings – expiration and manufactured dates, batch number and NAFDAC registration number.

“NAFDAC’s advice to wholesalers, distributors and pharmacies is that medicines should be obtained from authorised/licensed suppliers, increased vigilance is hereby encouraged within the supply chain to avoid infiltration of the falsified product. The products’ authenticity, physical condition and labels should be carefully checked.

“NAFDAC implores healthcare providers to ensure vigilance to prevent the administration of the falsified product on unsuspecting patients. Members of the public in possession of the above suspected counterfeit product are advised to discontinue sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

“Healthcare providers and the public should notify the nearest NAFDAC office of any information concerning the distribution, sale, and use of the falsified version of the Augmentin product.”