NAFDAC ALERTS PUBLIC ON CIRCULATION OF FALSIFIED BETACLOX ANTIBIOTIC IN NIGERIA

Read Time:1 Minute, 21 Second

By Aishat Momoh. O.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public warning over a suspected substandard and falsified antibiotic, BETACLOX (Ampicillin 250mg and Cloxacillin 250mg), circulating within Nigeria’s drug supply chain.

According to the agency, the product contains fraudulent registration details and originates from an unverified source, posing a serious threat to public health. The alert followed a report from a retail outlet in Zaria, Kaduna State, which identified the suspicious product after purchasing it from a distributor in Kano.

Investigations revealed that the NAFDAC registration number (A4-4724) displayed on the fake BETACLOX package actually belongs to Mebendazole 500mg, manufactured by Chi Ltd., indicating clear misappropriation.

The falsified product, allegedly imported by Freeview Pharmaceutical Ltd., lists its address as No. 128 MCC Road, Calabar, Cross River State. Verification by NAFDAC, however, confirmed that the genuine Freeview Pharmaceutical Ltd. is registered at No. 101 MCC Road, Calabar, further exposing inconsistencies suggesting unauthorized use of the company’s identity.

Details of the Falsified Product:

Product Name: BETACLOX (Ampicillin 250mg and Cloxacillin 250mg)

Batch No.: 230701

Manufacturer: Saeny Laboratory Pvt. Ltd., Kerala, India

Manufacturing Date: 07/2023

Expiry Date: 07/2026

Fake NAFDAC Reg. No.: A4-4724

In response, all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to conduct surveillance and remove the falsified product across all regions. Distributors, pharmacists, and healthcare providers have been urged to obtain medicines only from authorized suppliers and to verify the authenticity of product packaging.

The public is advised to report suspicious products to the nearest NAFDAC office or via the agency’s toll-free number.