NAFDAC Alerts Public About Fake Anti-Malaria Drugs in Circulation
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a warning about the circulation of counterfeit Cikatem (Artemether 180mg/Lumefantrine 1080mg) suspension in Nigeria.
In a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, NAFDAC revealed that the falsified product was discovered at the Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC) in Kano State following a consumer complaint that prompted an investigation.
The agency confirmed that the fake product was labeled with the NAFDAC Registration Number (A11-100025), which actually belongs to Cikatem Tablets (20/120mg), not the suspension formulation.
NAFDAC stated that it has already removed the counterfeit drugs from circulation and has heightened surveillance efforts to prevent further distribution. During an inspection of the manufacturing facility, 17,280 bottles of the suspected counterfeit drug were put on hold pending their destruction.
The product, manufactured by Michelle Laboratories in Enugu, was intended for the treatment of malaria in children, including severe cases caused by all forms of Plasmodium.
NAFDAC urged both consumers and healthcare professionals to remain vigilant and report any suspected sale of substandard or falsified medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office.
