The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has issued a public alert about counterfeit Combiart (Artemether Lumefantrine 20/120mg) Dispersible Tablets in Nigeria.  

The alert, identified as No. 043/2024 and published on the NAFDAC website, specifies that the counterfeit products were manufactured in February and June 2023, with expiration dates set for May and June 2026.

The affected batch, identified as Batch No. 7225119, carries NAFDAC Reg. No. A11-0299. The manufacturer, Strides Arcolab Limited, is based in Bangalore, India.

NAFDAC has instructed its zonal directors and state coordinators to conduct surveillance and remove these counterfeit products from circulation across the country. The agency urges importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers to remain vigilant, avoiding the importation, distribution, sale, and use of the counterfeit tablets.

The agency emphasizes that all medical products should be sourced from authorized and licensed suppliers, and it is important to verify both the authenticity and physical condition of any product before use. Healthcare professionals and consumers are also encouraged to report any suspected substandard or falsified medicines or medical devices to NAFDAC.

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“Healthcare professionals and patients are similarly encouraged to report adverse or side effects related to the use of medicinal products or devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng.,” it said

It advised Nigerians to reports any adverse effects via the Med-safety application available for download on android and IOS stores or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng.

The agency further assures that the alert will be uploaded to the World Health Organization’s Global Surveillance and Monitoring System.

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