NAFDAC warns public over fake Gold Oxytocin injection

The alert, numbered 028/2025, was published on the agency’s official website. NAFDAC said the product was falsely claimed to be manufactured by Anhui Hongye Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Fengyang East Road, Bengbu, Anhui Province, China.

It added that the product was marketed by Gold Vision Medicals, No. 4 Range Avenue, Independence Layout, Enugu, Nigeria.

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The agency said the product was uncovered during a risk-based sampling survey carried out by officers of its Post-Marketing Surveillance, PMS, directorate.

Further investigations revealed that three falsified products – A-tocsin injection, Extocin injection, and Claxitodin injection – were also identified during the 2023 risk-based PMS sampling.

According to NAFDAC, all the falsified products were allegedly manufactured by the same company and carried the same forged NAFDAC registration number, A4-9566.

The agency stressed that these products were confirmed falsified because they were absent from the official NAFDAC registered products database.

Oxytocin is a natural hormone and neuropeptide, also available as a pharmaceutical drug, mainly used to induce or strengthen labor, control postpartum bleeding, and support lactation.

It binds to oxytocin receptors in uterine muscle, activating a G-protein-coupled receptor pathway. This raises calcium levels within cells, triggering uterine contractions.

The agency warned that using unregistered or falsified oxytocin injections poses serious health risks for both mothers and newborns.

The agency said such products may contain incorrect doses, no active ingredient, or harmful contaminants, leading to weak contractions, postpartum haemorrhage, or even maternal death.

It added that poor-quality oxytocin could delay or fail to stop bleeding after childbirth, often requiring emergency interventions such as blood transfusions or surgery.

NAFDAC said its zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to monitor and withdraw any falsified products detected within their jurisdictions across Nigeria.

The agency urged importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and consumers to remain vigilant within the supply chain and avoid importing, distributing, selling, or using these falsified products.

It advised that all medicinal products and medical devices should only be obtained from licensed suppliers, with authenticity and physical condition carefully verified.

Healthcare professionals and consumers were encouraged to report suspicions of substandard or falsified medicines and devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, or call 0800-162-3322, or email sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng

Reports of adverse events or side effects linked to medicines or devices should also be submitted to NAFDAC offices.

The public may also report cases through the e-reporting platforms on the agency website, www.nafdac.gov.ng

Alternatively, reports can be made via the Med-safety app, downloadable on Android and iOS stores, or by email at pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng

NAN