The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert (No. 027/2024) warning the public about the circulation of counterfeit Herceptin in Nigeria.
Herceptin, known generically as trastuzumab, is a crucial targeted therapy for treating HER2-positive breast cancer, particularly in early-stage and advanced/metastatic cases.
NAFDAC made the announcement on Thursday via its official X handle and also shared it with Africa Health Report (AHR). The details of the counterfeit product are as follows:
– Herceptin 600 mg/5 mL
– Stated Manufacturer: Roche
– Batch Number: B3207B41
– Manufacturing Date: 03/2023
– Expiry Date: 03/2025
While a chemical analysis could not be performed due to the lack of a physical sample, an investigation based on the images provided revealed clear signs of counterfeit packaging.
In response to this discovery, NAFDAC has instructed all zonal directors and state coordinators to intensify surveillance and remove the counterfeit products from circulation. The agency has also urged importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers to exercise extreme caution and vigilance throughout the supply chain. NAFDAC stressed the importance of sourcing medical products only from authorized suppliers and thoroughly checking the authenticity and physical condition of all products.
“Importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers are urged to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain,” NAFDAC emphasized.
