Federal Government has confirmed two cases of counterfeit quinine sulphate in circulation.
It has also stepped up vigilance over drug supply chain nationwide, and opened three hotlines where the public can report.
The federal health ministry received an alert that both falsified drugs contain no active ingredients at all – that’s zero quinine sulphate.
In a statement by the ministry’s director for media and public relations Boade Akinola on Saturday, it said both drugs were in circulation in west and central Africa.
Cameroon and Democratic Republic of Congo are particularly named as areas of circulation.
Quinine sulphate is used to treat malaria, but the absence of the active ingredient in the counterfeit product means it will not be effective and may also lead to other health challenges, according to Akinola.
She said one of the fake products was named Quinine Sulfate 300 mg with 1000 Tablets per container, Batch Number 10H05, expiry date 09/2018 and it manufactured 09/2014.
Akinola added that the drug manufactured by Novadina Pharmaceutical Limited, London, United Kingdom was first was discovered in Cameroon.
The director said the other version of the fake drug was Quinine Sulphate 300mg with 100 Tablets per container; batch F4387, expiry date 11/18 and its date of manufacture is 12/14.
She explained that the product was manufactured in India by CAD Pharm, and it was discovered in Bunia, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
She advised Nigerians to be vigilant and report to the nearest National Agency for Food and Drug Administration office anywhere the drugs were spotted including hospitals and pharmaceutical shops.
The ministry urges Nigerians to also report it the following GSM no +234-8037881120, +234-8055056727 and +234-8035902679.
“If you are in possession of these products, please do not use them.
“If you have taken this falsified product or if you suffer an adverse effect following its uptake, please seek immediate advice from a qualified healthcare professional and report the incident to NAFDAC.’’
