Oluwatobi Adu 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The World Health Organisation (WHO) issues an urgent global alert after detecting falsified batches of SIMULECT, a life-saving immunosuppressant used in kidney transplants, across Africa and Europe.
WHO confirms the fake injections appear in Rwanda, Bulgaria and Türkiye, with alerts submitted in December 2024 and November 2025. SIMULECT, known scientifically as basiliximab, is critical in preventing acute organ rejection in transplant patients.
“This WHO Medical Product Alert refers to falsified SIMULECT (basiliximab) for injection,” the agency says, warning that the product poses “serious risks to patient safety.”
Forensic tests conducted by the genuine manufacturer confirm the falsified product contains no active pharmaceutical ingredient, instead filled with ascorbic acid. WHO also identifies multiple packaging inconsistencies, including incorrect dosage labelling and conflicting country-of-origin details.
A fake batch number — SFYD2 — emerges as a major red flag, with WHO stressing that any product carrying the code should be treated as unsafe.
Health experts warn the consequences could be catastrophic, including organ rejection, severe infections and complete treatment failure.
WHO urges healthcare providers to immediately quarantine suspected products and report adverse reactions to national drug regulators. The agency also calls for stronger surveillance of informal markets and online medicine sales, where falsified products often circulate.
Patients are advised to seek urgent medical care if exposed and to purchase medicines only through authorised suppliers.
About the Author
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Koko Maxwella 