The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued an urgent warning to healthcare providers and the general public regarding the circulation of a fake batch of Phesgo 600mg/600mg/10ml injection, a cancer treatment drug.
The counterfeit product, identified with batch number C5290S20, was flagged after a doctor at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) reported a suspicious drug brought in by a patient. According to NAFDAC, the counterfeit batch matched a previously identified fake product, C3809C51, raising concerns about the widespread circulation of falsified cancer medication in the country.
Complaint from LUTH Sparks Investigation
The alert was triggered when a doctor from LUTH-NSIA Cancer Centre reported the suspected counterfeit drug to Roche, the Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH) for Phesgo. Although no physical sample of the product was provided for analysis, Roche examined images of the product and confirmed its counterfeit status.
Roche’s review found several red flags that confirmed the product was fake, including:
- A non-existent batch number
- Incorrect labeling and language errors
- Missing tamper-evidence features
- Mismatched packaging compared to authentic Phesgo products
NAFDAC’s Official Statement
In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, NAFDAC emphasized the danger posed by counterfeit drugs. The agency expressed concern over the compromised safety and efficacy of counterfeit medical products, which could have life-threatening consequences for cancer patients.
The statement read:
“The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) wishes to inform healthcare providers and the public of a suspected counterfeit Phesgo® 600mg/600mg/10ml injection labelled with batch number C5290S20.
“The Marketing Authorization Holder, Roche, received a complaint from a doctor at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH-NSIA) regarding a suspected counterfeit Phesgo product. The product, brought in by a patient for administration, was identified as matching the previously reported counterfeit batch C3809C51.
“Although no physical sample was provided for investigation, images of the suspected product were reviewed and compared to genuine reference samples. The investigation confirmed the counterfeit status due to significant inconsistencies.”
Dangers of Counterfeit Drugs
NAFDAC reiterated the serious risks posed by counterfeit drugs, particularly those used for critical conditions like cancer. These falsified products can lead to treatment failures, severe side effects, and even death. The agency called on importers, distributors, and healthcare professionals to ensure they source medical products only from authorized suppliers.
The statement also urged the public to report any suspected counterfeit drugs to NAFDAC through its helpline or local offices.
NAFDAC’s Nationwide Surveillance Efforts
In response to the alert, NAFDAC has instructed all zonal directors and state coordinators to intensify surveillance and remove counterfeit products from circulation.
“All NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and remove counterfeit products within their zones and states,” the agency stated.
NAFDAC assured Nigerians that it is committed to protecting public health by identifying and eliminating counterfeit products from the market.
Public Health Concern
The circulation of fake cancer drugs poses a serious public health concern in Nigeria, especially for patients undergoing critical treatments. NAFDAC’s alert is a reminder of the dangers posed by counterfeit drugs and the importance of vigilance in sourcing medication from legitimate suppliers.
Healthcare providers are advised to remain cautious when administering treatments and report any suspicious products to NAFDAC for immediate action.
