The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised an alarm over the circulation of counterfeit Artemether/Lumefantrine tablets in Nigeria, sold under the brand name Aflotin 20/120. The agency disclosed this development via its official Twitter handle, emphasizing that the fake drugs were discovered and reported to NAFDAC by Ajanta Pharma Limited, the legitimate manufacturer based in Mumbai, India.
According to NAFDAC, Ajanta Pharma informed the agency about the counterfeit batch, identified as PA2128L, which was originally produced in December 2018. The batch, meant for Combisunate 20/120 tablets, was intended for a pack size of 30 x 24 tablets and had an expiry date of November 2020. However, the counterfeit version now circulating in the Nigerian market is being sold as Aflotin 20/120mg, packaged in a 1 x 18 tablets format. NAFDAC noted that the counterfeit packaging did not match the authentic overprinting style of Ajanta Pharma, a clear indication of the product’s inauthenticity.
The regulatory agency confirmed that following its investigation, the batch PA2128L identified as Aflotin 20/120mg in the market is indeed counterfeit. It further explained that genuine Aflotin tablets are a combination of Artemether (20mg) and Lumefantrine (120mg), specifically used for treating uncomplicated malaria caused by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite. The counterfeit versions, however, may not provide the same therapeutic benefits and could pose serious health risks to unsuspecting users.
NAFDAC reiterated the dangers posed by counterfeit medicines, emphasizing that these substandard drugs do not meet the required regulatory standards, putting public health at risk. The agency highlighted that such counterfeit products fail to treat diseases effectively and could lead to severe health complications, including death.
In response to the ongoing threat, NAFDAC has instructed its zonal directors and state coordinators to ramp up surveillance in their respective regions and ensure that any counterfeit Aflotin products are removed from the market. The agency has also issued a cautionary message to distributors, retailers, healthcare providers, and the general public, urging them to be vigilant in preventing the distribution, sale, and use of these counterfeit drugs.
NAFDAC concluded by advising that all medical products be sourced exclusively from authorized and licensed suppliers to safeguard against the infiltration of counterfeit goods into the Nigerian market.
