- The said fake antihypertensive drug in circulation is hydrochlorothiazide.
- The said drug contains glibenclamide as its active ingredient instead of hydrochlorothiazide.
- Glibenclamide is an anti-diabetic drug and can cause hypoglycemia and coma if taken.
- The drug labels come in French and English.
- The adulterated drugs poses danger to patients.
- The fake drugs already circulating in Cameroon and environs.
- NAFDAC boss says the adulterated drug label carry a batch number of 16G04.
- NAFDAC gives out contacts (mail address and phone number) to report fake or suspicious drugs.
The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted the public of the circulation of a fake anti-hypertensive drug.
Prof Moji Adeyeye, Director General of NAFDAC (DG) in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said that the drug, Hydrochlorothiazide 50mg (containing Glibenclamide) was currently circulating in Cameroon.
“NAFDAC is alerting the public, especially healthcare providers on the circulation of confirmed falsified Hydrochlorothiazide 50mg tablets in Cameroon.
“The falsified product has been found to contain Glibenclamide instead of Hydrochlorothiazide.
“In March 2019, the World Health Organisation (WHO) was informed by an NGO in Cameroon that a medicine, presented as Hydrochlorothiazide 50mg tablets, has caused hypoglycaemia in patients.
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“Confirmatory laboratory analysis has established that the product did not contain hydrochlorothiazide, the stated active ingredient, glibenclamide was instead identified,” Adeyeye said.
She explained that the genuine version of the drug was for treatment of hypertension.
According to her, the falsified medicine poses grave danger to patients.
“Hydrochlorothiazide is used as an antihypertensive and diuretic medicine, whereas Glibenclamide is an anti-diabetic medicine.
“The falsified medicine presents a risk for patients who are taking hydrochlorothiazide for the treatment of hypertension.
“The label on the plastic container of this falsified product states Laboratoires Sterop as the manufacturer, however, this company has confirmed to WHO that it did not manufacture or supply the falsified product.
“The Falsified hydrochlorothiazide 50mg is presented in plastic containers of 1000 tablets each,” she said.
The NAFDAC DG further said the drug which had a batch number of 16G04, also carried 16/2017 as its Manufacture Date and 30/05/2021 as Expiry Date.
“The batch number, as well as a number of other features shown on the label of the falsified Hydrochlorothiazide 50mg tablets, do not correspond with genuine manufacturing records. The label is English and French languages.
She advised importers, wholesalers, and retailers to avoid illegal importation and sale of the drug in Nigeria as surveillance had been heightened to prevent such.
“Surveillance has been strengthened by NAFDAC at all ports of entry to prevent importation of the falsified Hydrochlorothiazide 50mg tablets from Cameroon.
“NAFDAC has also heightened surveillance to prevent distribution and sale of the falsified product.
“Healthcare providers and other members of the public are advised to be vigilant and contact the nearest NAFDAC office with any information on the product,” she said.
Adeyeye further advised those already in possession of the drug to submit it to the nearest NAFDAC office.
She advised consumers to report any adverse effects related to the use of medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office, its Toll Free number 20543, to all Networks, or via its e-mail [email protected].
According to the WHO,the problems of fake drug proliferation in Nigeria have affected the credibility of the Healthcare system and can exert very harmful effects on the consumer resulting to illness; disability and even death and anyone can be a victim. Some of the incidences have resulted in death even among children because most times the consumers do not know the quality of what they are buying or taking. This makes it imperative that there is need to intensify effort in fake drug eradication. National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is the government agency in Nigeria that is fully empowered to regulate and control the importation, exportation, manufacture, advertisement, distribution, sale and use of drugs in order to ensure that safe and quality drugs are available to the public. As NAFDAC tasks herself dutifully in fighting fake drugs, more challenges comes up from unscrupulous drug dealer who sometimes have the backings of lawmakers and politicians making the stipulated drug laws and standard unattainable.
Culled from P.M.News.
