The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC),
Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, has raised the alarm regarding the circulation of suspected substandard and counterfeit Deekins Amoxycillin 500mg capsules in Nigeria.
Prof. Adeyeye urged the public to refrain from using or selling these potentially harmful products, reports Daily Independent.
She emphasised the importance of vigilance among distributors, healthcare providers, and patients, advising them to be cautious within the supply chain to prevent the distribution, administration, and use of the affected products.
Speaking in a statement, the NAFDAC boss reiterated that all medical products should be sourced exclusively from authorised and licensed suppliers to ensure safety and efficacy.
Adeyeye’s statement partly reads, “The public is hereby warned to avoid the use of the suspected substandard Deekins Amoxycillin 500mg capsule.
“National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) implores distributors, healthcare providers, and patients to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid distribution, administration, and use of the affected lots of the product. All medical products must be obtained from authorised/licensed suppliers. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.
“Anyone in possession of the affected lot is advised to immediately discontinue the sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office. If you have used this product, or someone you know, has used it, or suffered any adverse reaction/event after use, are advised to seek immediate medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional.”
An alert has been placed against this product on December 3, 2024, on NAFDAC’s website.
Healthcare professionals and consumers are advised to report any suspicion of substandard and falsified medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322, or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng
Similarly, healthcare professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of the medicinal product to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac. gov.ng or via the Med-safety application available for download on android and IOS stores or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@ nafdac.gov.ng
Furthermore, note that this notice will be uploaded to the WHO Global Surveillance and Monitoring System (GSMS).
Earlier, the statement elaborated, “The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is investigating a case of suspected substandard Deekins Amoxycillin 500mg capsule, manufactured by Ecomed Pharma Ltd and marketed by Devine Kings Pharmaceutical Ltd, with lot number 4C639001.
“This investigation stemmed from reports of serious adverse drug reactions being experienced by patients who took the medication across the country. According to Ecomed Pharma Ltd, reports of serious adverse drug reactions were received from a hospital that reported three cases of serious adverse drug reactions from patients administered with the batch of Deekins Amoxycillin 500mg.”
In the statement obtained from Mr. Kingsley Ekeanyanwu, the Marketing Authorisation Holder (MAH), capsule, Divine King Pharmaceutical Ltd, stated that all products were manufactured by Ecomed Pharma Ltd.
“The manufacturer Ecomed Pharma Ltd in his statement claimed to have produced only twenty packets (20) of the affected batch number 4C639001 for the purposes of renewal of his registration.
He also claimed to have manufactured 1,961 packets, Batch No 4C639002.
However, 790 packs of Batch 4C639001 with manufacturing 03/2024 and Expiry Date 02/2027 were recalled, which he did not manufacture,” the statement also reads.
“The products have been sampled for laboratory analysis against the suspects, Pharm Ekene Christopher, Ecomed Pharma Ltd, and Mr. Kingsley Ekeanyanwu, of Devine Kings Pharmaceutical Ltd. The analysis is currently pending determination while the ongoing investigation.
“Meanwhile, the Quality Control and Production Managers have been invited for further investigation, The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, the agency that issues site licences for the site, and the pharmacist in charge has been notified,” it added.
