Counterfeit Diabetes Drugs Flood the Market: What You Need to Know
Counterfeit Medicines Pose Serious Health Risks
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians about suspected counterfeit versions of Forxiga (dapagliflozin) in circulation. The agency identified two suspected counterfeit products, Forzigar and Foziga, which imitate the genuine product manufactured by AstraZeneca.
NAFDAC said investigations into the source and distribution of the suspected counterfeit products are ongoing, while surveillance and mop-up operations have been ordered. The agency specifically advised Nigerians and healthcare professionals to buy medicines only from licensed pharmacies and authorised distributors.
How to Spot Fake Diabetes Drugs
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends checking the packaging, manufacturing and expiry dates, and making sure the information on the outer packaging matches the inner packaging. NAFDAC also warns that counterfeiters can put fake regulatory numbers on products, so relying solely on a NAFDAC number printed on a pack is not enough.
In this case, the suspected counterfeits use names resembling Forxiga, including Forzigar and Foziga. The packs list Alliance Biotech and Medico Remedies Ltd as the manufacturers, respectively. The genuine product is Forxiga, containing dapagliflozin and manufactured by AstraZeneca.
The Risks of Counterfeit Medicines
The WHO says substandard and falsified medicines can cause treatment failure, worsen diseases, cause adverse reactions, and, in some cases, lead to serious illness or death. In the case of diabetes medication, a counterfeit drug that contains little or no of the stated active ingredient may simply fail to do its job.
Your blood sugar could remain poorly controlled while you believe you are taking your prescribed medication. The safest approach is not to rely on appearance alone, but to look closely at the brand name on the pack, check for unusual fonts, spelling mistakes, poor printing, damaged packaging, or inconsistencies between different parts of the pack.
What You Need to Do
If you suspect that your medicine is counterfeit, speak to a pharmacist or doctor before making changes to your diabetes treatment. If you experience an unusual reaction or feel that the medicine is not working as expected, seek medical attention promptly.
Consumers are advised to purchase solely from licensed pharmacies, inspect packaging for subtle name changes or brand imitations, and report suspicious batches to NAFDAC via sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng or 0800-162-3322. The agency is investigating the source and distribution of the suspected counterfeit Forxiga products, so consumers should remain particularly careful when purchasing diabetes medication.
In the meantime, it's essential to remain vigilant and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones from the risks associated with counterfeit medicines.
Source: Pulse.ng
