NAFDAC Raises Alarm Over Fake Asthma Drug in Nigerian Market
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against a suspected counterfeit asthma medicine discovered in circulation, cautioning that its use could result in treatment failure and other serious health complications.
The agency issued the alert on Friday through its official X account after pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca detected the suspected falsified product during market surveillance.
According to NAFDAC, the counterfeit medicine, labelled Ulmicort 0.5 mg/ml Inhalation Suspension, closely resembles AstraZeneca’s registered Pulmicort (Budesonide) Nebulising Suspension, raising concerns that healthcare professionals and patients could mistakenly purchase or prescribe it.
Pulmicort is an inhaled corticosteroid commonly prescribed to prevent asthma symptoms, including wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness, and is used as a long-term maintenance treatment.
NAFDAC warned that counterfeit medicines often fail to meet required standards of quality, safety and effectiveness.
“The use of such products can result in treatment failure, worsening of respiratory conditions, unexpected adverse effects and other serious health consequences,” the agency warned.
NAFDAC identified the suspected counterfeit product as bearing Batch Number 25770416E, manufactured in June 2025 with an expiry date of May 2027.
The product was reportedly found in Eastern Nigeria and traced to a distributor located at 15 Chizzon, Awada, Obosi North, Anambra State. It is labelled as being manufactured by Legency Remedies PVT Ltd, Himachal Pradesh, India.
The agency said investigations are underway to determine the source and distribution network of the suspected counterfeit medicine.
It added that all zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to intensify surveillance and conduct nationwide mop-up operations to remove the product from circulation.
NAFDAC urged healthcare professionals and consumers to purchase medicines only from licensed pharmacies and authorised distributors while carefully checking product labels and packaging before use.
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Korede Abdullah