The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a stern warning to the public following the discovery of counterfeit Noristerat 200mg injections circulating in parts of Nigeria.
The falsified product, which was found in Niger, Bauchi, and at the Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC) in Kano State, contains Chlorpheniramine and Dexamethasone instead of the correct contraceptive formulation.
According to NAFDAC, which disclosed this on its X handle, investigations led to the tracking and arrest of the suspected counterfeiter, with further enforcement actions in progress.
The agency has assured Nigerians that stringent measures are being implemented to eliminate the counterfeit drugs from circulation.
Dr. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC, emphasized the dangers of using substandard or mislabelled medicines. “This is a serious public health concern. The wrong formulation in an injection meant for contraception could lead to unintended pregnancies and adverse health effects. We will ensure that those responsible face the full weight of the law,” she said.
Noristerat 200mg is a short-term contraceptive injection that provides up to eight weeks of pregnancy protection. However, the counterfeit version contains entirely different active ingredients that could pose serious health risks to unsuspecting users.
In response to the crisis, NAFDAC has directed all zonal directors and state coordinators to intensify surveillance and conduct a nationwide mop-up of the falsified product. The agency is also urging importers, distributors, and healthcare professionals to remain vigilant.
“We call on all stakeholders in the pharmaceutical supply chain to exercise extreme caution and source their medical products only from licensed suppliers. Authenticity checks must be carried out before dispensing or using any medication,” a NAFDAC spokesperson stated.
NAFDAC has also urged the public to report any suspicious or counterfeit medicines to the agency via its toll-free line 0800-162-3322, email (sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng), or through the Med-Safety app available on Android and iOS. Adverse drug reactions or side effects can also be reported via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng or directly through the agency’s website.
The agency confirmed that the alert will be uploaded to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Surveillance and Monitoring System (GSMS) to enhance global awareness and coordination in tackling counterfeit medical products.
NAFDAC reassures Nigerians of its commitment to safeguarding public health and preventing the proliferation of fake medicines in the country.
