The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a critical alert to Nigerians regarding the circulation of falsified malaria medicines—Artemetrin DS and Ciprofit 500. Despite appearing to come from licensed sources, these counterfeit drugs pose serious health risks and have already raised alarm across the pharmaceutical sector.
According to NAFDAC, the falsified products are being distributed under the guise of legitimate packaging, making them difficult for consumers and even some healthcare providers to detect. The agency emphasized that these fake medications not only fail to treat malaria effectively but may also cause harmful side effects due to unknown or toxic ingredients.
The alert follows reports of treatment failures and adverse reactions among patients who had used the affected drugs. NAFDAC has urged the public to exercise extreme caution when purchasing malaria medications and to verify authenticity through approved channels. Pharmacies and hospitals are being advised to conduct thorough checks on their stock and report any suspicious products immediately.
This development underscores the growing challenge of counterfeit pharmaceuticals in Nigeria, where regulatory agencies continue to battle sophisticated networks that exploit gaps in supply chains. NAFDAC is working with international partners to trace the origin of the falsified drugs and prevent further distribution.
Consumers are encouraged to report any suspected fake medicines via NAFDAC’s Med Safety App or through their official hotline. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public health and warned that legal action will be taken against any individuals or entities found complicit in the distribution of counterfeit drugs.
