The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public warning over the circulation of suspected counterfeit diabetes medicines designed to mimic Forxiga® (dapagliflozin), cautioning that the fake products could pose serious health risks to patients.
According to the agency, the suspected counterfeit medicines were discovered in the Nigerian market following surveillance conducted by pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, the manufacturer of the genuine Forxiga®. The company alerted NAFDAC after identifying products with names, branding, and logos closely resembling its authentic medication.
NAFDAC explained that genuine Forxiga® (dapagliflozin) is prescribed to help control blood sugar levels in people living with Type 2 diabetes. It is also used to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalisation in patients with heart failure, as well as slow the progression of chronic kidney disease.
The agency warned that counterfeit medicines may contain the wrong ingredients, incorrect dosage strengths, harmful contaminants, or no active ingredient at all. Such products can lead to treatment failure, worsening health conditions, severe adverse reactions, and other life-threatening complications.
The suspected counterfeit medicines were reportedly found in the eastern part of Nigeria. One of the products, Forzigar, carries batch number ATE-262, with a manufacturing date of March 2025 and an expiry date of February 2028, and lists Alliaance Biotech as the manufacturer.
Another counterfeit product, Foziga, bears batch number GIB405-, with a manufacturing date of June 2024 and an expiry date of May 2027, and lists Medico Remedies Ltd as the manufacturer.
NAFDAC emphasized that the authentic product is marketed as Forxiga® (dapagliflozin), a film-coated tablet manufactured by AstraZeneca.
The agency disclosed that investigations are ongoing to trace the source and distribution network of the counterfeit medicines. It has also directed all zonal directors and state coordinators to intensify surveillance and remove the fake products from circulation nationwide.
Consumers and healthcare professionals are advised to purchase medicines only from licensed pharmacies and authorized distributors, carefully inspect packaging and labels before use, and promptly report any suspected counterfeit or substandard medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office.
