The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a warning to Nigerians after discovering a spurious version of the antibiotic Betaclox (Ampicillin 250 mg & Cloxacillin 250 mg) circulating in the country’s supply chain.
According to the agency, the counterfeit product carries the registration number A4-4724, which belongs to a completely different drug, an indication of deliberate misrepresentation. The fake batch was traced back to being procured at Gambori Market in Maiduguri, Borno State, then handed off to a distributor in Kano, and subsequently supplied to a retail outlet in Zaria, Kaduna State.
Further investigation by NAFDAC revealed inconsistencies between the packaging and legitimate records. The pack claimed the importer to be Freeview Pharmaceutical Ltd., located at “No. 128 MCC Road, Calabar”, but official records list the firm at “No. 101 MCC Road”. In addition, the stated manufacturer, Saeny Laboratory Pvt. Ltd. in Kerala, India, and a batch number of 230701 with manufacture date July 2023 and expiry July 2026 were part of the suspect labeling.
Betaclox is used to treat bacterial infections of the respiratory tract, ears, nose and throat, urinary tract, skin and soft tissues, and gastrointestinal system. The circulation of a falsified version means that patients may receive ineffective medication, allowing the infection to persist or worsen, and risking the acceleration of antimicrobial resistance. NAFDAC emphasises that “the sale of unregistered medicines endangers people’s health, as it fails to meet regulatory standards, which ensure the safety, quality, and efficacy of these products.”
The influx of counterfeit drugs undermines the legitimate pharmaceutical market, eroding trust and increasing losses for authorised manufacturers and distributors. Adverse health outcomes raise treatment costs and strain public healthcare budgets, while consumer confidence falls, impacting retail trade and foreign-investor perception in Nigeria’s health and manufacturing sectors.
In light of this alert, consumers are advised to thoroughly check packaging for correct registration numbers, verify importer/manufacturer details, observe expiry dates, and purchase from authorised outlets. Stay alert and report any suspected fake medications to NAFDAC to help protect public health and safeguard the economy.
