Friday, June 5, 2009

NAFDAC Seizes N32Million in Fake Anti-Malaria Drugs

Nigeria officials seized a large cache of counterfeit drugs at Kirikiri Lighter Terminal in Lagos, on Wednesday May 20, 2009. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) acting on a tip, intercepted
the counterfeit anti-malarial drugs, Maloxine and Amalar tablets, which had an estimated street value of N31.1 Million.

Laboratory tests by the agency showed that the fake anti-malarials which were produced in China but labeled "Made in India," contained only sulfadioxine and no pyrimethamine.

Director General, NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, said the interception of the fake drugs may have saved hundreds of thousands of Nigerians from possible effects such as treatment failure, drug resistance, complications like anemia and death had the drugs been circulated into the open market.

"If these fake drugs were not intercepted by NAFDAC, 642,000 adults will be affected. This figure will go up if children are given half or quarter dose as some parents and guardians sometimes do that," he added.


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