The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted Nigerians about the circulation of fake malaria drugs, Combiart Dispersible Tablet 20/120mg in the country.
The Agency disclosed this in a post on its official X handle, stating, “This product was discovered in the FCT and Rivers State, during surveillance activities conducted by officers of the Post Marketing Surveillance Directorate of NAFDAC.
“The Laboratory report of the analysis carried out on the product revealed that it contained Zero Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients. The product was also observed to have two different date markings. The NAFDAC database of registered products has confirmed that the product licence has expired and the NAFDAC Registration Number on it is wrong and not for the product.
“The Artemether and Lumefantrine combination belongs to a group of medicines known as antimalarials. It treats malaria, a red blood cell infection transmitted by the bite of a mosquito. However, this medicine is not used to treat severe or complicated malaria.”
NAFDAC noted that the product batch number is 7225119 with a NAFDAC registration number of A11-0299, adding that the product’s manufacturing dates are June 2023, and February 2023 while the expiry dates are May 2026, and June 2026.
It further said that the manufacturer’s name and address are Strides Arcolab Limited, 36/7, Suragajakkanahalli, Indlavadi Cross, Anekal Taluk, Bangalore- 562 106, India.
The Agency stated that counterfeit drugs endanger people’s health because they usually fail to effectively treat conditions or diseases which could lead to serious health implications such as death.
According to NAFDAC, “All NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the counterfeit products within the zones and states.
“Importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers are hereby advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and use of counterfeit products. All medical products must be obtained from authorised/licensed suppliers. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.
“Healthcare professionals and consumers are advised to report any suspicion of the sale of substandard and falsified medicines or medical devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or via email:
“Similarly, healthcare professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of medicinal products or devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med- safety application available for download on android and IOS stores or via e-mail on
