The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued an urgent alert to healthcare providers and the public regarding a suspected counterfeit cancer drug, Phesgo 600mg/600mg/10ml injection, bearing batch number C5290S20.
This warning follows a report from a doctor at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), who raised concerns about the drug after it was presented by a patient.
Upon investigation, it was discovered that this batch closely resembles another previously flagged counterfeit batch, C3809C51.
NAFDAC stated that the drug’s manufacturer, Roche, reviewed images of the suspected product and confirmed it to be counterfeit. Several discrepancies were identified, including a non-existent batch number, incorrect language on the packaging, missing tamper-evidence features, and labels that differed from those on genuine products.
NAFDAC stressed that counterfeit medicines pose significant risks to public health, as they are both unsafe and ineffective.
The statement reads:
“The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) wishes to inform healthcare providers and the public of a report of a suspected counterfeit Phesgo® 600mg/600mg/10ml, labelled with batch C5290S20.
“The Marketing Authorisation Holder (MAH), Roche, received a complaint from a doctor at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH-NSIA) regarding a suspected counterfeit Phesgo® 600mg/600mg, labelled with batch C5290S20.
“The product was reported to have been brought in by a patient for administration. It had not been administered at the time of the report, as it closely matched the previously reported counterfeit batch: C3809C51.
“Although no sample was returned to Roche for investigation, images showing parts of a Phesgo® 600mg/600mg in a 10ml folding box and a labelled vial were provided.
*“Roche examined the images and compared them to genuine samples retained for reference.
“The investigation revealed significant discrepancies between the complaint sample pictures and genuine materials, confirming the falsified status of the suspected counterfeit batch of Phesgo® 600mg/600mg.”
The agency has urged importers, distributors, healthcare professionals, and consumers to remain vigilant and ensure that medicines are procured only from authorised sources. It also called on stakeholders to thoroughly verify the authenticity and condition of all medical products before use.
NAFDAC has directed its zonal directors and state coordinators to carry out surveillance operations to remove counterfeit drugs from circulation.
Healthcare providers and the public are encouraged to report suspected counterfeit medicines or adverse reactions to medical products through the following channels.
