Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

NAFDAC alerts Nigerians to counterfeit Aflotin 20/120 tablets posing health risks

POSTED ON April 21, 2025 •   Health & Wellness      BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Headquarters

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a warning to Nigerians regarding the presence of counterfeit Artemether/Lumefantrine tablets, misrepresented as Aflotin 20/120, in the Nigerian market. 

The agency’s alert, shared via its official X account, follows a report from Ajanta Pharma Limited, a pharmaceutical firm based in Mumbai, India, which produces the authentic product.

Ajanta Pharma notified NAFDAC about the emergence of a falsified version of its anti-malarial drug in Nigeria, identified by the batch number PA2128L.

The company specified that this particular batch was originally manufactured in December 2018 and expired in November 2020, marketed under the name Combisunate 20/120 with a packaging of 30 x 24 tablets.

Conversely, the counterfeit version is being sold under the name Aflotin 20/120mg, repackaged in a different format (1 x 18 tablets).

Ajanta Pharma further highlighted that the counterfeit items do not conform to its approved packaging standards. “The overprinted information on the counterfeit tablets did not correspond with Ajanta’s printing style, and the carton artwork was inconsistent with our approved design,” the company remarked.

Ajanta Pharma confirmed that it did not produce the Aflotin 20/120mg with Batch No: PA2128L and affirmed that the circulating product with that batch number is counterfeit, based on its investigation.

NAFDAC underscored the health dangers associated with counterfeit medications, warning that such products may not meet regulatory standards, potentially exposing consumers to ineffective treatment and severe health risks, including death.

NAFDAC also highlighted that the genuine Aflotin 20/120 is a combination therapy of Artemether (20mg) and Lumefantrine (120mg) used to treat uncomplicated malaria caused by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite.

The agency indicated that the counterfeit product in circulation is marked with a manufacturing date of April 2023 and an expiry date of March 2026, falsely indicating Ajanta Pharma Limited as the manufacturer, along with its address in Mumbai, India.

In light of the alert, NAFDAC has instructed all zonal directors and state coordinators to enhance surveillance activities and eliminate any counterfeit products discovered in their regions. The agency also called upon distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers to be vigilant and ensure that all medical products are sourced from authorized and licensed suppliers.

NAFDAC encouraged healthcare providers and consumers to report any suspicious or substandard medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office or via its e-reporting platforms. Additionally, reports of adverse drug reactions or side effects are welcome through the same channels.

READ ALSO
Dangote Advocate end to health tourism, Emphasize local drug- production
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - President and chief executive officer of Dangote groups, Aliko Dangote, has called...

READ ALSO
Bill Gates Advocates for Improved Health Care in Nigeria Amid Budget Constraints
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

US billionaire Bill Gates, who chairs the Gates Foundation, expressed that Nigeria’s health bu...

READ ALSO
Edo Faces Diphtheria Outbreak, Two Confirmed Deaths
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

EDO, Nigeria (NAN) - A diphtheria outbreak has been confirmed in Edo State, resulting in two deaths....

READ ALSO
Nigeria Needs ₦2.2 Trillion to Eliminate Cervical Cancer by 2030, Says Task Force Chair
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria will need ₦2.2 trillion to roll out comprehensive cervical cancer ini...

READ ALSO
Health Equity: Nigeria's Push for Universal Health Coverage
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 3, 2025 0

In alignment with the global effort towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Nigeria is striving to...

READ ALSO
WHO Calls for Immediate Ban on Flavored Tobacco Products to Protect Youth
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 31, 2025 0

The World Health Organization (WHO) unveiled a new publication on Friday, urging governments to swif...

READ ALSO
WHO Unveils New Vaccination Strategies to Protect Infants from RSV
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 31, 2025 0

The World Health Organization announced on Friday its recommendations for two new vaccination option...

READ ALSO
NGO Calls for Tax Elimination on Sanitary Pads to Promote Menstrual Hygiene
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 30, 2025 0

A non-governmental organization (NGO), FAB Treasure Foundation, urged the federal government on Thur...

OUR CHANNELS:

Enugu Proposes Bill to Curb Criminal Activities Linked to Traditional Practitioners
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 6, 2025 0

ENUGU, Nigeria - Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has proposed an Executive Bill to the Enugu State H...


Bill Gates Advocates for Improved Health Care in Nigeria Amid Budget Constraints
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 6, 2025 0

US billionaire Bill Gates, who chairs the Gates Foundation, expressed that Nigeria’s health bu...


Controller General Issues Urgent Security Directive for Correctional Facilities
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 6, 2025 0

The Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, has issued a strict order to all Zonal Co...


NEMA Mobilizes Teams to 15 States Amid Flood Warnings
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has sent officials to 15 high-risk states to educate...


Edo Faces Diphtheria Outbreak, Two Confirmed Deaths
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

EDO, Nigeria (NAN) - A diphtheria outbreak has been confirmed in Edo State, resulting in two deaths....


Tinubu Honors Bill Gates with National Award for Global Philanthropy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - President Bola Tinubu commended Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and chairma...


Bahrain, Colombia, DRC, Latvia, and Liberia Join UN Security Council for 2026-2027 Term
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

The UN General Assembly on Tuesday elected five new non-permanent members to the UN Security Council...


Tinubu Orders Urgent Repairs on Flood-Damaged Bridge in Mokwa
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

NIGER, Nigeria (NAN)- President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Federal Ministry of Works to repair t...


Nigeria Needs ₦2.2 Trillion to Eliminate Cervical Cancer by 2030, Says Task Force Chair
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria will need ₦2.2 trillion to roll out comprehensive cervical cancer ini...


EFCC Charges Two Men for Posing as Fake Sureties in Illegal Mining Case
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged two individuals, Shehu Abdu and Isah...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu