NAFDAC Warns Nigerians on Sale of Fake Paudex Tablets
The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has notified Nigerians on the sale of fake Paludex tablets and suspensions.
NAFDAC revealed this on Wednesday in a statement issued via its X handle.
The agency pointed out that the Paludex Artemether/Lumefantrine tablets (80mg/480mg), were manufactured by Impact Pharmaceutical Ltd, No. 33A/33B Standard Industrial Layout Emene- Enugu State, while its counterfeit were being distributed by MD Life Sciences Ltd, Emene Industrial Layout also in Enugu State.
NAFDAC says a Paludex (Artemether/Lumefantrine) dry powder for oral suspension (180mg/1080mg) for paediatric use is also being distributed.
The oral suspension is manufactured by Impact Pharmaceutical Ltd, No. 33A/33B Standard Industrial Layout in Enugu and Ecomed Pharma Limited in Ogun State and marketed by MD Life Sciences Ltd, the statement revealed.
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The agency says a WHO-prequalified laboratory in Germany ran tests on the products, with the results showing zero per cent ‘Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient’ (API’s).
No records of the product can be found on the NAFDAC registered product database, it says.
The agency also mentions that all NAFDAC registration numbers on the products are fake.
NAFDAC pointed out that the original Artemether/Lumefantrine tablets or suspension was a combination of the two medications, Artemether and Lumefantrine, which are used in the treatment of acute malaria in adults and children.
“The illegal marketing of medicines or counterfeit medicines poses a great risk to the health of people.
“By not complying with the regulatory provisions, the safety, quality, and efficacy of the products are not guaranteed
“Also, poor-quality pediatric formulations or medicines in general have the potential of causing treatment failure when the API content is below the prescribed dose,” the agency stated.
It said that all zonal directors and state coordinators of the agency have been mandated to be on the lookout for these products and confiscate it.
Distributors, healthcare providers, and patients have been adviced to be watchful and ensure all purchase of medical products from licensed suppliers only.
“Anyone in possession of any of the above-mentioned products is advised to immediately discontinue the sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office,” the Agency warned.
NAFDAC urges all health proffesionals and patients to ensure it reports suspicions of substandard and fake medicines to any of its offices nearby.
The agency moved to advise patients who have already consumed these products to head to a hospital close to them and get examined.
