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Summary: The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has issued a public alert notice over the circulation of a counterfeit breast cancer drug, Phesgo 600mg, in Nigeria. It warns that the drug is a threat to the health of Nigerians.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has issued a public alert notice over the circulation of a counterfeit breast cancer drug, Phesgo 600mg, in Nigeria. It warns that the drug is a threat to the health of Nigerians. This warning occurred after the agency received reports from Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH-NSIA), where patients presented suspected fake Phesgo injections for administration.
Phesgo 600mg is a solution injection used to treat breast cancer. It kills cancer cells and prevents their growth. NAFDAC stated that the suspected fake drug, Phesgo 600mg, is now identified as B2346B16 and C3809C5. One of its batches, C3809C5, had an increased volume of 20ml instead of the expected 10ml, raising concerns about its authenticity.
After investigations by the manufacturer, Roche, the products were confirmed to be counterfeit based on significant labelling and packaging discrepancies.
“Only pictures of the complaint samples were sent to Roche by the complainants for investigation. Although a complete investigation was not possible, the pictures provided were scrutinised by Roche and compared to genuine retained samples. The investigation identified the following significant differences between the complaint sample pictures and the genuine materials, which confirmed the falsified status of the suspected counterfeit batches,” NAFDAC said.
Subsequently, the agency directed all zonal directors and state coordinators to intensify surveillance and remove counterfeit products from circulation nationwide. Importers, distributors, healthcare providers, and caregivers were advised to be cautious when supplying drugs to avoid fake products.
“The illegal marketing and distribution of counterfeit medicines risks people’s health, as they do not guarantee the safety, quality, and efficacy of the products due to non-compliance with regulatory standards,” the agency stated.
Similarly, health professionals and the general public are urged to report any suspected sale of the fake products, or reactions and side effects linked to their use, through NAFDAC’s official channels.
