The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert over the circulation of a suspected substandard and falsified antibiotic, BETACLOX (Ampicillin 250mg and Cloxacillin 250mg), discovered within Nigeria’s drug supply chain.
In a statement, the agency stated 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 a clear case of number misappropriation.
The fake product, allegedly imported by Freeview Pharmaceutical Ltd., lists its address as No. 128 MCC Road, Calabar, Cross River State.
However, verification by NAFDAC 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 include:
Product Name: BETACLOX (Ampicillin 250mg and Cloxacillin 250mg)
Batch No.: 230701
Manufacturer: Saeny Laboratory Pvt. Ltd., Kerala, India
Manufacturing Date: 07/2023
ExpiryDate: 07/2026
Fake NAFDAC Reg. No.: A4-4724
NAFDAC has ordered all zonal directors and state coordinators to carry out surveillance and remove falsified medical products nationwide.
The agency urged distributors, pharmacists, and healthcare providers to remain vigilant by sourcing medicines only from authorised suppliers and carefully checking packaging for authenticity.
The public is also encouraged to report any suspicious products to the nearest NAFDAC office or via the agency’s toll-free number.
