The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert regarding a counterfeit Bosom cancer treatment drug, Phesgo 600mg/600mg/10ml, associated with batch number C5290S20. This warning was detailed in Alert No. 051/2024 on the agency's website.
The alert was initiated after a complaint from a medical professional at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH-NSIA). The report involved a patient presenting the suspected counterfeit drug for administration, which was flagged as potentially fake before use.
Roche, the Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH), conducted an investigation using images of the suspected product. The visual comparison of the counterfeit sample against genuine products revealed critical discrepancies, including:
- The batch number not existing in the MAH database.
- Errors in language and labeling details.
- Absence of the basilisk logo.
- Mismatched tamper-evidence labels.
- Incorrect "bollino" date.
The counterfeit product bore similarities to a previously identified fake batch, C3809C51, raising concerns about its origin and distribution. However, the absence of a physical sample for chemical testing limited the scope of the investigation.
Phesgo 600mg/600mg is a prescribed solution for Bosom cancer treatment, targeting cancer cells to inhibit their growth. NAFDAC warned that counterfeit medicines could pose severe health risks due to their compromised safety, quality, and efficacy.
Call to Action for Stakeholders
To mitigate the spread of counterfeit drugs, NAFDAC has directed its zonal directors and state coordinators to intensify surveillance and remove such products from circulation. The agency urged stakeholders, including importers, distributors, retailers, and healthcare providers, to remain vigilant and ensure medical products are sourced only from authorized suppliers.
NAFDAC emphasized the importance of authenticity checks and encouraged healthcare professionals and consumers to report suspected counterfeit medicines or adverse effects. Reports can be made through the agency's toll-free number (0800-162-3322), email ([email protected]), or via its e-reporting platforms and the Med-Safety app.
The agency assured that the case would be logged into the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Surveillance and Monitoring System (GSMS) to enhance global awareness.
Health Sector on High Alert
With this latest warning, NAFDAC reaffirms its commitment to protecting public health and ensuring the integrity of medical supplies in Nigeria. It reiterates that counterfeit drugs remain a serious threat, underscoring the need for coordinated efforts across the healthcare supply chain to safeguard patients and prevent the distribution of falsified medications.
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