NAFDAC alerts Nigerians to fake diabetes drug in circulation

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians about the presence of suspected counterfeit diabetic medication resembling the brand Forxiga (dapagliflozin) in the Nigerian market. The agency made the announcement following market surveillance conducted by pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, which detected the fake products.

The counterfeit medicines bear names similar to Forxiga® and attempt to replicate the company's branding and logo. Genuine Forxiga® is prescribed to manage blood sugar levels in Type 2 diabetes patients, lower cardiovascular risks in heart failure patients, and slow chronic kidney disease progression. Counterfeit medicines may contain incorrect ingredients, incorrect dosages, harmful contaminants, or may lack the active ingredient stated on the label.

If used, these products could result in treatment failure, worsening of medical conditions, adverse health effects, or other serious safety risks. The detected counterfeit products in Eastern Nigeria were identified by batch numbers ATE-262 and GIB405-, with manufacturing dates of March 2025 and June 2024, and expiry dates of February 2028 and May 2027, respectively.

The manufacturers listed on the fake products were Alliance Biotech and Medico Remedies Ltd, respectively, while the genuine product is manufactured by AstraZeneca. NAFDAC has initiated investigations into the source and distribution of these counterfeit medicines, directing all zonal directors and state coordinators to conduct surveillance and remove any counterfeit products from circulation in Nigeria.

The agency urges consumers and healthcare professionals to purchase medicines only from licensed pharmacies and authorized distributors and to verify product labels and packaging before purchase and use. Consumers are also advised to report suspected substandard or falsified medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office through various communication channels.