Juliet Jacob 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians about a suspected falsified antibiotic circulating across northern states, raising fears of a looming public health crisis.
The counterfeit drug, branded as BETACLOX (Ampicillin 250mg + Cloxacillin 250mg), was traced from Gambori Market in Maiduguri, Borno State, through Kano, and finally detected at a retail pharmacy in Zaria, Kaduna State.
In its Public Alert No. 37/2025 released Monday, NAFDAC disclosed that the product’s registration number (A4-4724) was illegally copied from another drug, Mebendazole 500mg, produced by Chi Ltd.
“This finding indicates deliberate falsification,” NAFDAC said. “The product never underwent mandatory approval or quality checks.”
The label falsely lists Freeview Pharmaceutical Ltd., Calabar, with an incorrect address, and names Saeny Laboratory Pvt. Ltd., Kerala, India as manufacturer — evidence, NAFDAC says, of “criminal misrepresentation.”
The agency warned that fake versions of Ampicillin + Cloxacillin — widely used to treat infections of the respiratory tract, urinary tract, skin and ENT — could cause treatment failure, resistance, or death.
“Healthcare professionals and consumers must report suspicious medicines to NAFDAC,” the statement read. Reports can be sent to sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng or by calling 0800-162-3322.
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Korede Abdullah 
Chukwu Obinna 
Oluwatobi Adu 
Otamere Gladness