The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised an alarm over the circulation of confirmed substandard and falsified medicines in Nigeria.
In a public notice (Alert No. 030/2025), the agency disclosed that ARTEMETRIN DS (Artemether/Lumefantrine) tablets (80mg/480mg) and CIPROFIT 500 (Ciprofloxacin Tablet USP 500mg) currently being sold in parts of the country are unsafe and falsified.
According to NAFDAC, ARTEMETRIN DS is labelled as manufactured by A.C. Drugs Ltd, Enugu State, while CIPROFIT 500 is labelled as manufactured by Impact Pharmaceutical Ltd, also in Enugu State. Both products were subjected to Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC) tests, which revealed irregularities, prompting further analysis at a WHO-prequalified laboratory.
Results from the High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) assay confirmed that ARTEMETRIN DS contained only 59.2% Artemether and 71.2% Lumefantrine, far below the required 90–110% limits. Similarly, CIPROFIT 500 was found to contain just 5.7% of Ciprofloxacin, well below acceptable standards.
The agency noted that the products were purchased from a licensed wholesaler, yet neither drug is listed on the NAFDAC registered products database, and the registration numbers on their packaging are fake.
NAFDAC has advised the public to immediately stop the sale or use of these products and return all existing stock to the nearest NAFDAC office. Individuals who have used the drugs and experienced adverse effects are urged to seek prompt medical attention.
Healthcare professionals and consumers are further encouraged to report suspected cases of substandard or falsified medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office, call 0800-162-3322, or email sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.
