NAFDAC issues public alert on counterfeit Meronem 1g Injection
The public, especially those who provide healthcare services, have been informed by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control about a batch of fake Meronem 1g Injection that is being sold in the country.
The public alert No. 036/2023, which was signed by the agency’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, on Tuesday, in Abuja, contains the information about this product.
Adeyeye said that Pfizer, the Marketing Authorisation Holder, also informed the agency about the injection, after they received a complaint from a patient through a notification platform.
The NAFDAC boss said Pfizer said that the content of the vial did not dissolve when it was prepared for use, and that they noticed some differences when they looked at the pack closely.
They also said that the crimp code did not match the code on the production documentation batch of 2A21F11, which is the semi-finished batch used for 4A21I17.
She said that the production process did not follow Pfizer’s standards.
“The vial label looks similar to the supposed artwork version.
“Meronem (Meropenem trihydrate injection) is an antibiotic used to treat infections caused by bacteria on the skin and in the stomach area, and meningitis (infection of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord) in adults and children who are 3 months old or older.
“The use of the fake product will put the patients at high risk because the quality and safety are not assured,” Adeyeye said.
The NAFDAC boss, however, said that healthcare providers and patients should get all medical products from suppliers who are authorised/licensed.
She advised that they should check the products’ genuineness and physical condition carefully before they buy and use them.
She also urged importers, wholesalers and retailers to be vigilant within the supply chain and stop illegal importation, distribution, and sale of the fake Meronem 1g injection and other poor quality medicinal products.
She warned that anyone who has the fake product should stop using it, and that they should take it to the nearest NAFDAC office.
She also told those who have the fake product to get immediate medical help from a qualified healthcare professional if they have used the product, or if they have any bad reaction after using the product.
Adeyey also advised healthcare professionals and consumers to report any case of bad drug reactions, or poor quality and fake medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office, or NAFDAC phone number at 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.
Adeyeye also encouraged healthcare professionals and patients to report any bad events or side effects related to the use of a medicinal product to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through the E-reporting platforms on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng.
