NAFDAC Gives Details Of Falsified Mislabelled Paracetamol Injection Circulating In Nigeria

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted Nigerians on the sale of a falsified Paracetamol Injection mislabelled as ‘Paracetamol Injection 300mg/2ml I.M I.V Aminoglycoside Antibacterial’.

Naija News reports that the agency, in a statement released on Wednesday, disclosed that the product was discovered during a surveillance activity carried out by the post-marketing surveillance (PMS) unit of the Agency in FCT, Abuja.

The statement adds that all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to monitor and mop up the falsified product within the zones and states.

The agency also urged healthcare professionals, patients, importers, distributors and caregivers to exercise caution and vigilance.

The statement read, “The falsified product was sampled for laboratory analysis, and the result of analysis conducted on the product by NAFDAC Laboratory Kaduna showed that the product contained only paracetamol.

“Paracetamol Injection is an analgesic and antipyretic used to treat mild to moderate pain and to reduce fever. It is not an Aminoglycoside Antibacterial as labelled on the product. Aminoglycosides are a class of antibiotics used to treat serious infections caused by bacteria that are difficult to treat.

“Importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers are hereby advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and use of the falsified product. All medical products must be obtained from authorized/licensed suppliers. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.

“Healthcare professionals and consumers are advised to report any suspicion of the sale of substandard and falsified medicines or medical devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or via email: [email protected]

“Similarly, healthcare professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of medicinal products or devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med- safety application available for download on android and IOS stores or via e-mail on [email protected]”

The details of the falsified paracetamol injection are as follows;