NAFDAC Alerts Nigerians On Circulation Of Fake Chloroquine Tablets

Chloroquine for COVID-19

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has caution Nigerians to be aware of fake Chloroquine phosphate 250mg tablets being circulated in the country.

The Director-General of the agency, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye disclosed this during a statement. She added that NAFDAC was notified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that the tablets were being circulated in Cameroon.

The statement reads: 

“The fake chloroquine phosphate 250mg tablets circulating were manufactured by Jiangsu pharmaceutical Inc, Astral pharmaceutical New Bhupalpura, China.

“The tablets manufactured by these companies don't have any Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) and are in packs of 1000 tablets.

“The use of the falsified chloroquine phosphate 250mg tablets may lead to treatment failure and will even cause death.”

She further stated that the package of the fake chloroquine phosphate 250mg tablets, manufactured by Jiangsu pharmaceutical Inc, China, is labeled with has fake NAFDAC No.: 028060.

The statement continues: 

“The Astral pharmaceuticals, New Bhupalpura, China is having a fake NAFDAC registration No. 0587612 labelling on it and we advise the overall public to bear in mind of this drug.

“All importers, wholesalers and retailers are hereby warned to stop the importation, distribution and sale of this fake chloroquine phosphate 250mg tablets.

“NAFDAC has strengthened its surveillance in all ports of entry to stop illegal importation of the falsified chloroquine phosphate 250mg tablets.

“The agency has also heightened surveillance within the 36 states and therefore the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to stop distribution and sale of this falsified drug.

“Healthcare providers and other members of public are advised to be careful and get in touch with the closest NAFDAC office with any information on any fake chloroquine drug observed.”

Prof Mojisola Adeyeye called on anybody in possession of the falsified chloroquine to submit it to the closest NAFDAC office. She also advised the buyer to report adverse events resulting from the utilization of the drugs, or call the agency toll free lines: 0800-1-NAFDAC and 0800-1-623322.