The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed 828 cartons of contaminated Bioflex infusions supplied by Biomedical Company Limited, Ilorin, following a failed sterility test.
The agency acted after receiving a consumer complaint from Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Shika, which reported the presence of suspended particles in the infusions. This prompted an investigation by NAFDAC’s North-West Zonal Office (NWZ).
In a statement posted on its X handle on Tuesday, NAFDAC confirmed that laboratory tests revealed the infusions did not meet sterility standards, posing significant health risks to the public.
With the approval of the @DGatNAFDAC, the NWZ oversaw the forfeiture and subsequent destruction of the contaminated infusions. The products were removed from their secondary packaging, crushed, and buried, while the cartons were burnt to ensure complete disposal,” the statement read
The agency reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring the quality of medical products in Nigeria. It encouraged citizens to report any suspicious or substandard products for prompt regulatory intervention.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding the safety of pharmaceutical products in Nigeria.
Earlier in the year, NAFDAC flagged an unregistered brand of Ceftriaxone Sodium Injection, marketed as ZACEF-TZ Injection, which was discovered during an investigation by the Post-Marketing Surveillance (PMS) unit in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The investigation followed a consumer complaint about the product’s legitimacy.
Ceftriaxone and Tazobactam Injection is a combination antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. However, NAFDAC raised alarms over the illegal sale of substandard and falsified medicines, warning that such products pose serious health risks.
“The illegal marketing of substandard and falsified medicines poses a risk to the health of people, since by not complying with the regulatory provisions, the safety, quality, and efficacy of the products are not guaranteed,” NAFDAC stated.
NAFDAC disclosed that the ZACEF-TZ Injection bears a falsified registration number, NRN A-46344, which does not exist in its database. The product also lacks essential manufacturer details and a patient information leaflet in its packaging.
The agency noted that ZACEF-TZ Injection closely resembles a registered product, EXACEF-TZ Injection, which contains the same active ingredients—Ceftriaxone Sodium and Tazobactam Sodium.
NAFDAC’s swift actions underscore its ongoing efforts to combat the proliferation of falsified and substandard medical products in Nigeria, ensuring the safety of patients and the credibility of the pharmaceutical market.