The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has seized a suspected falsified antimalarial drug, Artemether/Lumefantrine 80mg/480mg, after discovering that the registration number displayed on the product does not exist in its database.
The medicine, purportedly manufactured by Bandaram Pharma Packleh Ltd (BPPL), India, was intercepted during routine post market surveillance at the Coordinated Wholesale Centre in Kano State.
NAFDAC said verification of the product established that the NAFDAC registration number, 02 3457, printed on the packaging was fake. The agency also noted that the product did not state the Marketing Authorisation Holder on its label.
Brandspur Brand News understands that the affected medicine carries batch number BP5203, with a manufacturing date of October 2024 and an expiry date of September 2027. The label lists the purported manufacturer’s address as Plot No. 1 and 2, Number 13, Mirgila, Nagar, India.
The agency has classified the product as a falsified medical product and warned healthcare professionals, medicine sellers and members of the public against purchasing, supplying or using it.
Artemether/Lumefantrine is used in the treatment of malaria, making the presence of a falsified version a significant public health concern. According to NAFDAC, use of the affected product could lead to treatment failure, worsening illness and the development of drug resistance.
The agency urged Nigerians to obtain medicines only from authorised and licensed suppliers and to verify the authenticity of medicines before buying or taking them.
NAFDAC also asked healthcare workers and consumers to report suspected sales, distribution or use of the product to the nearest NAFDAC office. Reports can also be made through the agency’s complaint channels or by calling 0800 162 3322.
The alert was released on August 19, 2026, and NAFDAC said the notice would also be uploaded to the World Health Organisation’s Global Surveillance and Monitoring System.
The agency further encouraged patients and healthcare professionals to report adverse events or side effects linked to medicinal products through NAFDAC’s pharmacovigilance channels and electronic reporting platforms.
