The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued an urgent warning concerning the circulation of a counterfeit batch of Phesgo® 600mg/600mg injection in Nigeria.
The counterfeit batch in question bears the batch number C3809C51 and has raised alarms within the pharmaceutical community.
The alert was triggered after Roche, the Marketing Authorisation Holder of Phesgo®, received a report from a vigilant pharmacist who suspected the authenticity of the batch.
Despite the absence of a physical sample, photographic evidence provided by the pharmacist revealed notable discrepancies between the counterfeit and genuine Phesgo® products.
Key issues identified in the counterfeit product include mismatched batch numbers, incorrect tamper-evidence labels, and significant differences in vial dimensions and labeling. Notably, the counterfeit product was found to be a solid form, unlike the genuine liquid Phesgo®.
This solid form closely resembles other counterfeit cases previously reported in Libya, sharing similarities in batch numbers and Bollino labels.
In response to these findings, NAFDAC has instructed its regional coordinators to ramp up surveillance activities and ensure the prompt removal of counterfeit products from the market.
The agency has called upon importers, distributors, and healthcare providers to rigorously verify the authenticity of their Phesgo® supplies and immediately report any suspicious products to NAFDAC.
NAFDAC also urges healthcare professionals and consumers to remain vigilant and report any suspected counterfeit medicines or adverse effects through the agency’s dedicated phone lines, email, or online reporting platforms.
Furthermore, this critical alert will be disseminated to the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Surveillance and Monitoring System to enhance global vigilance.
The health and safety of the Nigerian populace remain NAFDAC’s top priority, and the agency is committed to ensuring that only genuine and safe pharmaceutical products are available in the market.
