The Nationwide Company for Meals and Drug Administration and Management (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert on the circulation of counterfeit Accu-Chek Instantaneous Check Strips found in Jos, Plateau State.
The main points had been shared in an announcement posted on the company’s web site.
In line with NAFDAC, investigations revealed {that a} counterfeit product, initially expired in October 2024, had been fraudulently revalidated with a brand new expiration date of December 2025.
The counterfeit product mimics the unique however carries a falsified expiration date, extending its shelf life past the secure restrict.
Particulars of the counterfeit product
The counterfeit take a look at strips share the identical batch quantity (302244) because the expired ones, with the unique manufactured date of January 3, 2023, and a reference variety of 07819382134.
Nevertheless, the revalidated counterfeit product has a modified manufactured date of Might 16, 2023, and bears the reference quantity 510542426288.
Well being dangers: potential life-threatening penalties
NAFDAC warned that this poses severe dangers to people counting on the strips to observe their blood glucose ranges.
- Accu-Chek Instantaneous is understood for being a easy, correct, and dependable blood glucose monitoring system broadly utilized by individuals dwelling with diabetes.
- Nevertheless, the real product has a shelf lifetime of 21 months, and any extension past that’s unauthorized and unsafe.
NAFDAC acknowledged that the usage of counterfeit Accu-Chek Instantaneous take a look at strips might end in inaccurate blood glucose readings.
“Such inaccuracies could result in incorrect insulin or medicine dosages, exposing customers to probably life-threatening episodes of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.”
The company has urged the general public, particularly healthcare suppliers and diabetes sufferers, to train excessive warning and guarantee they buy solely verified medical merchandise.
“Customers are additionally inspired to report any suspected counterfeit merchandise to the closest NAFDAC workplace or via the company’s reporting platforms, together with its web site and the Med-Security App.”
Response to the disaster: intensifying surveillance
In response, all NAFDAC zonal administrators and state coordinators have been instructed to accentuate surveillance and eradicate counterfeit medical merchandise inside their jurisdictions.
Importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers are urged to stay cautious and solely procure medical merchandise from licensed or licensed suppliers. The authenticity and bodily situation of merchandise ought to at all times be verified earlier than use.
Reporting suspected substandard or falsified merchandise
The company additional suggested that any suspected circumstances of substandard or falsified medicines or medical units be reported to the closest NAFDAC workplace.
NAFDAC reaffirmed its dedication to defending public well being and making certain that solely secure and efficient medical merchandise can be found in Nigeria.
Be First to Comment