The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has called on consumers and healthcare professionals who have fallen victim to the counterfeit Meronem 1g injection currently being sold in different parts of the country to immediately seek medical advice and report to the nearest NAFDAC office.
While alerting consumers and healthcare providers on a batch of counterfeit Meronem 1g Injection in circulation, NAFDAC urged victims to report adverse effects related to the use of the medicine to NAFDAC office or through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on its website: www.nafdac.gov.ng.
In a public circular numbered 036/2023 and signed by the Director-General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, in Abuja, she said the agency was notified about the injection by the Marketing Authorisation Holder, Pfizer, who reported the incident, as received through a patient notification platform.
The NAFDAC boss noted that Pfizer reported that the vial content did not dissolve when reconstituted for use and that further visual inspection of the pack was observed.
The circular also reported 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.
“The vial label compares favourably to the purported artwork version,” Adeyeye said, adding that the production process did not meet Pfizer’s specifications.
“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 NAFDAC boss said.
“The administration of the counterfeit product will pose a high risk to patients as the quality and safety are not guaranteed,” she added.
Prof. Adeyeye, however, said that healthcare providers and patients have been advised to obtain all medical products from authorised/licensed suppliers, adding that the 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.
She further warned that anybody in possession of the counterfeit product should stop using it, adding that it should be submitted to the nearest NAFDAC office, while calling on those in possession of the counterfeit product to seek immediate medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional if they already used the product, or suffered from any adverse reaction after using the product.
The Agency has also warned the Nigerian public against the consumption of a recalled energy drink known as ‘G Fuel’ due to the high level of caffeine it contains.
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The warning which came from a public alert with No. 034/2023, issued in Abuja by NAFDAC Director General, noted that the brand of energy drinks manufactured by T&E Imports and GPAE Trading Corp, was not registered by NAFDAC and has the potential of causing headaches, insomnia, irritability, and nervousness.
Adeyeye also said the energy drink had been recalled by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
“The product is not registered by NAFDAC, which implored consumers and retailers to refrain from using, selling, serving, or distributing the implicated product,” the DG said.
“Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicion of distribution and sale of unwholesome packaged food products to the nearest NAFDAC office.
“Healthcare professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of any substandard NAFDAC-regulated product to the nearest NAFDAC office.
“NAFDAC could also be reached on 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng or at pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng,” she added.
Adeyeye also cautioned pregnant women not to take the products because of the possible health effects of consuming too much caffeine which include the risk of miscarriage and a chance of low birth weight.
