ALERT: Fake Combiart antimalarial tablet in circulation, NAFDAC warns

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted Nigerians to the circulation of counterfeit Combiart dispersible tablets 20/120 mg in the country.

Combiart is a combination of artemether and lumefantrine 20/120 mg used to treat malaria.

NAFDAC said in a statement that the product is manufactured by Strides Arcolab Limited in India.

The agency said its officers from the post-marketing surveillance directorate discovered the product in the federal capital territory (FCT) and Rivers state.

“The laboratory report of the analysis carried out on the product revealed that it contained zero APIs. The product was also observed to have two different date markings,” the statement reads.

“The NAFDAC database of registered products has confirmed that the product license has expired and the NAFDAC registration number on it is wrong and not for the product.

“Counterfeit or falsified medicines endanger people’s health because they do not comply with regulatory standards, which means the safety, quality, and efficacy of these products are not ensured.

“The use of counterfeit medicines often fails to effectively treat diseases or conditions, leading to serious health consequences, including death.”

The agency asked importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers to exercise caution and be vigilant within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and use of counterfeit products.

In another development, NAFDAC said its investigation and enforcement team uncovered a trove of counterfeit medicines during a raid at Tyre Village, Trade Fair Complex, in Lagos.

The agency said in a statement that the operation led to the seizure of fake pharmaceuticals, including amoxicillin 500 mg, ampiclox capsules 500 mg, and packaging materials for Augmentin capsules 625 mg.

“The facility has been placed on hold, and all illegal products have been evacuated,” NAFDAC said.

“These counterfeit medicines, estimated at over N300 million, pose severe health risks, including treatment failure, organ damage, and potential carcinogenic effects due to unknown compositions.

“The suspect has been invited for questioning, and investigations are underway.”