The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued an alert about falsified antimalarial products circulating in Nigeria, naming Artemetrin-DS and Ciprofit 500 as being implicated. The notice — shared on social media on 17 September 2025 — warns that these counterfeit medicines may pose serious health risks even when their packaging appears to come from licensed sources.
NAFDAC says falsified medicines can be dangerous for several reasons: they may contain incorrect or no active ingredients, have harmful contaminants, improper dosages, or be manufactured in unhygienic conditions. Patients who take such products risk treatment failure, worsening illness, harmful side effects, and contributing to drug resistance in the community.
Consumers are being urged to inspect packaging carefully and to look for official authentication features printed on legitimate products. Some genuine products carry a NAFDAC registration number and consumer-verification features such as scratch-off PINs; however, counterfeiters sometimes replicate packaging, so appearance alone is not a guarantee of safety. The agency advises buying medicines only from licensed pharmacies and reputable healthcare facilities.
Anyone who suspects they have purchased or been given a falsified medicine should stop using it and consult a qualified healthcare professional immediately. Suspected counterfeit products and any adverse reactions should be reported to NAFDAC through the agency’s official reporting channels so the items can be investigated and removed from circulation.
NAFDAC and public health officials emphasize vigilance as the best protection: when in doubt, seek care from trusted providers, keep product packaging and receipts for inspection, and report suspicious products quickly to help protect others.
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