
We National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued an urgent alert to Nigerians and healthcare providers regarding a counterfeit batch of the cancer treatment drug, Phesgo 600mg/600mg/10ml, identified with batch number C5290S20.
The alert, published on the agency’s website under Public Alert No. 051/2024, follows a complaint from a doctor at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH-NSIA) concerning a suspected counterfeit product brought in by a patient for administration. While the product had not yet been administered, its physical characteristics resembled those of a previously reported counterfeit batch (C3809C51).
NAFDAC confirmed that Roche, the Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH) for Phesgo, conducted an investigation comparing images of the suspected product with genuine samples. Several discrepancies were identified, including the absence of a batch number in the MAH database, language inconsistencies, missing security features like the basilisk and bollino date, and tamper evidence labels that did not match genuine Roche products.
Phesgo 600mg/600mg Solution for Injection is a critical drug used in the treatment of breast cancer, working by killing cancer cells and preventing their growth. The agency highlighted the significant health risks posed by counterfeit medicines, which may not meet regulatory standards and could compromise patient safety, quality, and effectiveness.
In response, NAFDAC has instructed its zonal directors and state coordinators to heighten surveillance and ensure the removal of counterfeit products from circulation. The agency has also urged importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers to remain vigilant and ensure that medicines are sourced only from authorized and licensed suppliers.
NAFDAC further emphasized the importance of verifying the authenticity of medical products and encouraged consumers and healthcare professionals to report any suspicions of substandard or falsified medicines. Reports can be made via NAFDAC’s contact number (0800-162-3322), email ([email protected]), or through its e-reporting platforms and the Med-Safety app.
The alert has been shared with the World Health Organization’s Global Surveillance and Monitoring System for further action.
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