The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised a public alert over the circulation of an unregistered antibiotic, Tarivid 200mg, discovered in Lagos State. The agency described the product as a potential threat to public health, warning Nigerians to avoid its use and report any sightings.
In a statement released on Monday on its official website, NAFDAC said the drug, manufactured by global pharmaceutical company Sanofi, was found during a routine surveillance activity in the Onipanu area of Shomolu Local Government Area, Lagos.
According to the agency, the batch of the product discovered was not intended for Nigeria and had not been registered for distribution in the country.
“Following the discovery, the NAFDAC Post-Marketing Surveillance Directorate conducted an investigation which revealed that the identified batch was not meant for the Nigerian market,” the statement said.
Sanofi, the Marketing Authorisation Holder (MAH) of Tarivid, confirmed to NAFDAC that the batch found in Lagos was originally manufactured for the Pakistani market. This was based on a detailed review by Sanofi’s Anti-Falsified and Illicit Trafficking (AFIT) Central Laboratory.
The affected batch of Tarivid 200mg, manufactured in September 2023 with an expiry date of August 2028, carries a national registration number AL016. However, NAFDAC stressed that this batch is not authorised for sale or use in Nigeria.
Tarivid is a brand of Ofloxacin, an antibacterial medicine used to treat a range of bacterial infections including those affecting the respiratory tract, kidneys, skin, soft tissue, and urinary tract. While the drug is effective when properly manufactured and administered, using unregistered or diverted products can pose serious health risks.
“The sale of unregistered medicines poses a risk to people’s health since, by not complying with regulatory provisions, the safety, quality, and efficacy of such products are not guaranteed,” NAFDAC warned.
In response to the discovery, the agency has directed all its zonal directors and state coordinators to begin intensive surveillance to locate and remove the unregistered product from circulation across Nigeria.
NAFDAC also issued a strong warning to medicine distributors, pharmacists, retailers, and healthcare professionals to remain vigilant and ensure they only source drugs from authorised and licensed suppliers.
“All medical products must be obtained from authorised/licensed suppliers. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked,” the agency stated.
The agency urged consumers and healthcare professionals to report any suspicious or falsified medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office or use its official communication channels. Reports can be made by calling the toll-free number 0800-162-3322 or by sending an email to **[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])**.
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical supply chain, especially regarding the importation and distribution of medical products not cleared by regulatory authorities. Experts have long warned that the presence of fake or unregistered drugs in the market can lead to treatment failure, drug resistance, and even death.
NAFDAC has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public health through regular inspections, surveillance, and collaboration with international partners and local stakeholders.
The agency called on members of the public to remain alert and cooperate by reporting any suspicious products in circulation.
“Together, we can ensure that only safe, effective, and quality-assured medicines are available to Nigerians,” the statement concluded.
