December 2023 ended with a huge bust by NAFDAC (National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control) in Nigeria.
Loads of fake drinks were discovered in Eziukwu market, Aba in Abia state, and this discovery gave every Nigerian pause and became a great source of worry.
Nigerians began to look at their groceries and drugs with suspicion. Just how many of them were actually original? Could all the groceries and drugs bought within that timeline be fake? They would never know, really.
Source: TVC News Nigeria
Top ten products that have been banned in Nigeria.
As you should know, NAFDAC can recall or ban a product due to quality or safety concerns that may arise from the manufacture or design of any product. This could happen in instances of contamination, side effect complaints, manufacturing issues or regulatory non-compliance.
When a recall occurs, NAFDAC immediately informs the public of the issue. This is to avoid consumption of said products until all irregularities are cleared up.
As of 2023, these are the drugs that were recalled or banned in Nigeria by NAFDAC:
1. Coartem Green pack: Green packs of Coartem were found in Jos on the 8th of March, but upon checking with the manufacturers, NAFDAC was informed that those particular drugs were not manufactured by Novartis (the manufacturer) anymore.
2. Norvasc 5mg tablets: This drug was recalled due to iron wires that were found within the tablets.
3. Herceptin (breast cancer drug): NAFDAC banned this drug upon finding it is counterfeit and being circulated in Abuja.
4. Ozempic (Drug for diabetes): The manufacturers reported falsification of their drugs to NAFDAC after receiving an inquiry from a customer. This caused NAFDAC to recall the drug.
5. Original chest and Lung tablets: In June of 2023, NAFDAC banned the distribution of this drug as it was not registered in their database.
6. Paracetamol suspension: Laboratory analysis of Paracetamol suspension sent to NAFDAC from Para clear, Liberia, had evidence of toxic substances that could cause mental illness and death. The drug was banned in Nigeria.
7. Artequin: This drug is used to treat acute malaria infection, but it was banned by NAFDAC in 2023 because the license for the drug had expired.
8. Dostinex: The manufacturers of this drug reported to NAFDAC regarding counterfeits of their drugs in circulation.
9. Anthrax vaccines: Laboratory analysis of these drugs proved them to be fake. They contained nothing but water and sugar.
10. Meropenem injections: Pfizer, the manufacturer, reported to NAFDAC a customer’s complaint. A particular batch of these injections was declared fake, and the batch was recalled.
As of 2023, these are the known drugs that NAFDAC in Nigeria banned.
It is not easy to keep safe these days. There are so many counterfeit products out in the market and a limited control on their distribution. We can only keep our ears to the ground and do the best we can.
