ALERT: NAFDAC warns against fake diabetes drugs in circulation
Nigeria's NAFDAC has issued a warning regarding counterfeit versions of the diabetes medication Forxiga circulating in the country. The agency identified fake products mimicking the brand identity of AstraZeneca and warned of serious health risks.
Why it matters
Counterfeit pharmaceuticals pose a direct threat to public health and safety, particularly for patients managing chronic conditions like diabetes.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned against the use of suspected counterfeit medicinal products mimicking Forxiga (dapagliflozin) that are in circulation.
In an X post on Thursday, NAFDAC said that the use of the drug could pose serious health risks.
The agency said the suspected counterfeit products were detected in the Nigerian market following market surveillance by AstraZeneca, a pharmaceutical company.
NAFDAC explained that AstraZeneca notified the agency after identifying products bearing names closely resembling Forxiga® and imitating the company’s brand identity and logo.
NAFDAC said that genuine Forxiga® (dapagliflozin) is prescribed to improve blood sugar control in people with Type 2 diabetes.
The agency said that the original drug reduces cardiovascular deaths and hospitalisations in patients with heart failure and slows the progression of chronic kidney disease.
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