NAFDAC issues alert over fake diabetes drug in circulation

NAFDAC alerts public over suspected counterfeit Forxiga diabetes drugs in Nigerian market The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted Nigerians over the circulation of suspected counterfeit versions of Forxiga (dapagliflozin), warning that the use of the fake medicines could pose serious health risks.

The agency said the suspected counterfeit products were discovered in the Nigerian market following surveillance activities carried out by pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, the manufacturer of the genuine drug. History

NAFDAC disclosed the development in Public Alert No. 036/2026 published on its X handle on Thursday, August 6, stating that AstraZeneca notified the agency after identifying products with names similar to Forxiga® and packaging that appeared to imitate the company’s brand identity and logo.

The agency explained that genuine Forxiga® (dapagliflozin) is a prescription medicine used to improve blood sugar control in people living with Type 2 diabetes, reduce cardiovascular deaths and hospitalisations among patients with heart failure, and slow the progression of chronic kidney disease. NAFDAC warned that counterfeit medicines could contain incorrect ingredients, inaccurate dosage strengths, harmful contaminants or may completely lack the active ingredient required for treatment.

“Counterfeit medicines may contain incorrect ingredients, the wrong dosage strength, harmful contaminants, or may not contain the stated active ingredient,” the agency stated. “Use of such products may result in treatment failure, worsening of the underlying medical condition, adverse health consequences, or other serious risks to patient safety.”

According to NAFDAC, the suspected counterfeit products were identified in Eastern Nigeria. One of the products, identified as Forzigar, carries batch number ATE-262, with a manufacturing date of March 2025 and an expiry date of February 2028, while listing Alliaance Biotech as the manufacturer.

The second suspected 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. The agency stressed that the authentic product is marketed as Forxiga® (dapagliflozin), a film-coated tablet manufactured by AstraZeneca.

NAFDAC said it has commenced investigations into the source and distribution channels of the suspected counterfeit medicines, while directing its zonal directors and state coordinators to carry out surveillance and mop-up operations to remove any fake products from circulation.

“NAFDAC is investigating the distribution and source of the suspected counterfeit products. All zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to conduct surveillance and mop-up activities to identify and remove any counterfeit product from circulation in Nigeria,” the agency said.

The regulator advised consumers and healthcare professionals to purchase medicines only from licensed pharmacies and authorised distributors, while urging the public to carefully inspect drug labels and packaging before buying or using any medication.

NAFDAC also encouraged Nigerians to report suspected substandard or falsified medicines through the agency’s offices nationwide, dedicated telephone lines, email channels or online adverse event reporting platforms