November 21, (THEWILL) – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has alerted Nigerians, particularly healthcare providers, to one batch of counterfeit Meronem 1g Injection being purchased in Nigeria.
The agency, in a statement signed on Tuesday, by its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said the Marketing Authorisation Holder (MAH) Pfizer, reported the incident, as received through a patient notification platform, concerning a suspicious pack of Meronem 1g injection purchase.
According to the agency boss, the vial content did not dissolve when reconstituted for use, adding that further visual inspection of the pack was observed.
The statement also explained 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; adding that the production process did not meet Pfizer’s specifications.
“The vial label compares favourably to the purported artwork version. Meronem (Meropenem trihydrate injection) is an antibiotic used to treat skin and abdominal (stomach area) infections caused by bacteria and meningitis (infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord) in adults and children 3 months of age and older.
“The administration of the counterfeit product will pose a high risk to patients as the quality and safety are not guaranteed”, Adeyeye said.
Adeyeye advised healthcare providers and patients to obtain all medical products from authorised/licenced suppliers.
According to her, products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked before purchase and administration.
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.
Adeyeye urged anybody in possession of the counterfeit product to stop using it, as well as submit it to the nearest NAFDAC office.
The D-G also advised healthcare professionals and consumers to report any suspicion of adverse drug reactions, or substandard and falsified medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC phone number on 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med- safety application available for download on android and IOS stores or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng.
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