The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned the health providers and the public against the purchase of one batch of counterfeit Meronem 1g Injection.
According to a public alert signed by the Director-General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency was equally notified about the injection by the Marketing Authorisation Holder Pfizer, who reported the incident, as received through a patient notification platform.
Lafiya360 reports that Prof. Adeyeye disclosed that Pfizer reported that the vial content did not dissolve when reconstituted for use and that further visual inspection of the pack was observed.
It was also reported that the crimp code did not match the code reported on the production documentation batch of 2A21F11, which is the semi-finished batch used for 4A21I17.
While stating that the production process did not meet Pfizer’s specifications, she added: “The vial label compares favourably to the purported artwork version.”
She, however, stated that healthcare providers and patients were advised to obtain all medical products from authorized/licensed suppliers.
The NAFDAC boss advised that the products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked before purchase and administration.
Warning that anybody in possession of the counterfeit product should stop using it, adding that it should be submitted to the nearest NAFDAC office, she also implored importers, wholesalers and retailers to maintain vigilance within the supply chain and desist from illegal importation, distribution, and sale of the counterfeit Meronem 1g injection and other substandard medicinal products.
She also called on those with possession of the counterfeit product to seek immediate medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional if they already used the product, or suffered from any adverse reaction after using the product.
Prof. Adeyeye also advised healthcare professionals and consumers to report any suspicion of adverse drug reactions, or substandard and falsified medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office, or NAFDAC phone number at 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.
She also encouraged healthcare professionals and patients to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of a medicinal product to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng.
She also urged the public to report any adverse effect of the product via the Med- safety application available for download on android and IOS stores or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng.