The National Agency for Food and medicine Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has informed Nigerians, including healthcare practitioners, to a counterfeit cancer treatment medicine, Phesgo 600mg/600mg/10ml, with batch number C5290S20.
This notice is included in a public alert (No. 051/2024) available on the agency’s website. NAFDAC reported that Roche, the Marketing Authorisation Holder (MAH), got a complaint about a suspected counterfeit product from a doctor at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH-NSIA).
The Phesgo 600mg/600mg, batch number C5290S20, was claimed to have been brought in by a patient for administration. The agency stated that, at the time of the report, the product had not been administered, but it matched the features of a previously reported counterfeit batch, C3809C51.
“Although no physical samples were returned to Roche for analysis, pictures of product components, especially a Phesgo 600mg/600mg vial and a 10ml folding box, were inspected. “The suspected product’s pictures were compared to actual samples kept by Roche. “Roche’s investigation revealed several significant differences between the complaint sample and genuine materials, confirming the batch’s counterfeit status.”
“These included no batch number in the MAH database, language issues, missing basilisk, an inaccurate bollino date, and tamper evidence labels that did not match genuine Roche components. “Since no physical sample was available for chemical analysis, the investigation was limited to visual comparisons,” the statement claimed.
NAFDAC revealed that Phesgo 600mg/600mg Solution for Injection is used to treat breast cancer because it kills cancer cells and prevents them from growing. The agency emphasised that unauthorised marketing of counterfeit medications posed a severe health concern because these items may not meet regulatory criteria and could jeopardise safety, quality, and effectiveness.
The agency directed all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators to conduct surveillance and eliminate counterfeit products from their respective zones and states. NAFDAC further asked importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and carers to exercise caution and vigilance along the supply chain to prevent the importation, distribution, and sale of counterfeit items.
It underlined that medical supplies should only be bought from registered and licensed sources, with thorough verification of their legitimacy and physical condition. “Healthcare professionals and consumers are encouraged to report any suspicions of substandard or counterfeit medications or medical devices to the nearest NAFDAC office.
“Reports can also be submitted via NAFDAC’s contact number (0800-162-3322) or email at sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.” “In addition, healthcare personnel and patients should report any adverse events or side effects associated with the use of pharmaceutical drugs or equipment.
“NAFDAC provides e-reporting platforms on its website (www.nafdac.gov.ng) and through the Med-Safety app, available for download on Android and iOS devices.”
The agency stated that adverse effects might also be reported via email to pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ngNAFDAC stated that the product notification would also be submitted to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Surveillance and Monitoring System.
