The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted healthcare professionals and the public to the circulation of a confirmed counterfeit batch of Herceptin 600 mg in Nigeria.
In a statement, the agency said the warning followed a report from Roche Nigeria, which confirmed the presence of a fake batch identified with number A8519B34 in Lagos.
Herceptin, also known as trastuzumab, is a prescription medication used in the treatment of certain types of breast and stomach cancer. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells and is typically administered through injection or infusion, often alongside chemotherapy.
NAFDAC said the case came to light after a customer reported that the suspected counterfeit drug was offered at a significantly reduced price of N50,000, far below the standard market rate.
According to the agency, an investigation by Roche Nigeria revealed noticeable differences between the fake product and the genuine version, including incorrect packaging artwork, wrong expiry date, and a faulty 2D matrix code. It added that the batch number on the counterfeit product does not exist in the manufacturer’s records, making traceability impossible.
The agency warned that counterfeit cancer drugs pose serious health risks, as they may contain harmful substances, incorrect dosages, or no active ingredients at all, potentially leading to treatment failure, worsening of disease, or death.
NAFDAC has directed its zonal directors and state coordinators to intensify surveillance and remove the counterfeit products from circulation. It also urged importers, distributors, healthcare professionals, and caregivers to source medicines only from authorised suppliers and to carefully verify product authenticity.
The agency further encouraged the public and healthcare providers to report suspected fake medicines or adverse drug reactions through its official channels, noting that the alert will also be shared with the World Health Organization’s global monitoring system to enhance international oversight.