The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has alerted the public to the sale of a falsified paracetamol injection mislabeled as Paracetamol Injection 300mg/2ml I.M I.V Aminoglycoside Antibacterial.
According to the agency, the product was discovered during a surveillance activity carried out by the post-marketing surveillance unit of the agency in FCT, Abuja.
The agency noted that the falsified product was sampled for laboratory analysis and the results of the 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 fever, while aminoglycosides are a class of antibiotics used to treat serious infections caused by bacteria that are difficult to treat. According to NAFDAC, the product is not an aminoglycoside antibacterial, as labelled on the product.
NAFDAC explained that the genuine Paracetamol Injection 300mg/2ml I.M I.V is manufactured by Shandong Shenglu Pharm. Co. Ltd, China, and marketed by Sifam Life Care Pharmaceutical Ltd., Kano, Nigeria.
It said the product is registered by NAFDAC as an analgesic and not an aminoglycoside antibacterial.
NAFDAC said the certificate of registration has confirmed the product to be a falsified paracetamol injection.
The detection of a falsified paracetamol injection underscores the critical importance of NAFDAC’s surveillance and regulatory efforts in safeguarding public health. As the primary regulatory authority responsible for ensuring the quality and safety of pharmaceutical products in Nigeria, NAFDAC plays a pivotal role in protecting consumers from the dangers of counterfeit medications. However, combating pharmaceutical counterfeiting requires a coordinated and multi-stakeholder approach, involving collaboration between government agencies, law enforcement authorities, healthcare professionals, and the private sector. By working together to strengthen regulatory frameworks, enhance enforcement mechanisms, and raise awareness among the public, Nigeria can effectively mitigate the threat posed by counterfeit drugs and uphold the integrity of its healthcare system.
