NAFDAC Raises Alarm, Warns Public Against Dangerous Fake Drugs ARTEMETRIN DS and CIPROFIT 500

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert warning Nigerians about the circulation of substandard and falsified medications, ARTEMETRIN DS and CIPROFIT 500, which have been confirmed to be unsafe for use.

According to Public Alert No. 030/2025, both drugs were purchased from a licensed vendor and wholesaler, yet laboratory analysis has confirmed they are grossly ineffective and falsely labelled.

Products Identified:

ARTEMETRIN DS (Artemether/Lumefantrine 80mg/480mg)

Claimed Manufacturer: A.C. DRUGS Ltd, Plot C5/C6 Old Airport Road, Emene, Enugu State, Nigeria

Laboratory Findings: Contained only 59.2% Artemether and 71.2% Lumefantrine — far below the acceptable limit of 90-110%.

CIPROFIT 500 (Ciprofloxacin Tablet USP 500mg)

Claimed Manufacturer: Impact Pharmaceutical Ltd, No. 33A/33B Standard Industrial Layout, Emene, Enugu State, Nigeria.

Laboratory Findings: Contained just 5.7% of the active ingredient Ciprofloxacin, a dangerously subtherapeutic level.

Initial screening with Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC) raised concerns, which were later confirmed by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) tests at a WHO-prequalified lab. NAFDAC has revealed that neither products exist in their registered product database, and the NAFDAC registration numbers on their packaging are fraudulent.

NAFDAC advised all vendors and consumers in possession of these products to:

Cease sale or use immediately.

Return all stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

Report any adverse reactions experienced after use to a healthcare professional.

It also charged Consumers and healthcare professionals to report suspicious or counterfeit medicines via: NAFDAC Hotline: 0800-162-3322 or email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng