The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against the purchase and usage of falsified Daonil 5mg tablets.
The agency raised the alert on the circulation of the product, stating that it was discovered in Idumota, Lagos State recently, adding that the sale and use of the counterfeit Daonil 5mg tablets poses a risk to patients’ health and safety.
Daonil 5 mg tablet is an anti-diabetic medicine containing glibenclamide as its active ingredient. It is used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus.
The manufacturer of the product, Sanofi Pharmaceuticals, said its anti-counterfeit lab in France, conducted a laboratory study of the product DAO-NI 0016 and discovered that it had been faked.
NAFDAC presented details of the counterfe DAO-NI 0016 is as follows: Product Name: Daonil 5mg; Batch No.: OPA6D; Expiry date: August 2023 (08/2023).
It stated that the genuine item (DAO-NI 0016) has a batch code of OPA6D and an expiration date of August 2022. While the fake product’s packaging and blisters have an expiration date of August 2023. An examination found that packaging from real expired products was being reused and/or rebranded with an updated expiration date of 08/2023.
NAFDAC therefore advised wholesalers, distributors, pharmacies, and customers to make sure that products are purchased from reputable and legitimate sources.
“To prevent the distribution of fake Daonil 5mg pills and the administration of the drug to unknowing patients by healthcare professionals, increased monitoring within the supply chain is now advised. Carefully examine the items’ physical integrity and genuineness.
“Anyone in possession of the fake product should stop selling or using it and stock should be turned in to the NAFDAC office that is closest to them,” the agency said.