The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a warning to Nigerian pharmaceutical importers, distributors, and retailers to exercise caution in conducting business with foreign pharmaceutical companies—particularly those based in India—in order to prevent the influx of substandard medicines into the country.
The agency’s alert follows the declaration of more than 100 medications produced in India as Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), India.
NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, gave the advisory in a statement received by Pharmanews, explaining that the affected drug samples were collected by officers of the CDSCO and State FDAs from various sales outlets and tested in drug control laboratories, where they were confirmed to be NSQ.
Providing details of the affected products and manufacturers Adeyeye noted that some of the companies reportedly have subsidiaries, partners, and products in Nigeria.
The 17 affected companies include Abaris Healthcare Pvt Ltd; Alencure Biotech Pvt Ltd; Eurolife Healthcare Pvt Ltd; Health Biotech Ltd; HIGGS Healthcare; Karnataka Antibiotics & Pharmaceuticals Ltd (KAPL); Laborate Pharmaceuticals India Ltd; Legend Industries; and Martins & Brown Biosciences Pvt Ltd.
Others are Mascot Health Series Pvt Ltd; Micron Pharmaceutical; Orison Pharma International; Rivpra Formulation Pvt Ltd; Sai Parenterals Ltd; Symbiosis Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd; Syncom Formulations (India) Ltd; and Zee Laboratories Ltd.
The NAFDAC DG stated that all zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and remove any affected products from the affected companies within their respective regions. She also reiterated that all medical products and devices must be obtained from authorised and licensed suppliers.
According to her, “The agency hereby advises importers, distributors, retailers, and healthcare professionals to exercise caution and vigilance in any transaction involving the affected companies, to avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and use of substandard products.”
Adeyeye further highlighted the serious risks posed by substandard medicines to patients and public health, including poisoning, treatment failure, drug resistance, and even death. She added that such medicines may contain toxic substances, incorrect ingredients, or inappropriate dosages, leading to severe adverse effects.
India’s pharmaceutical industry is a global leader, particularly in the production of generic drugs, and plays a significant role in international healthcare. It is the third-largest producer of pharmaceutical drugs by volume and the 13th largest by value.
Renowned for producing affordable generic medicines and vaccines, India remains a vital supplier to many countries, including the US and the UK. The country accounts for 20 per cent of global exports, 40 per cent of US generic drug demand, and 25 per cent of all medicines used in the UK.
The NAFDAC DG urged healthcare professionals and consumers to report any suspicions regarding the sale of substandard or falsified medicines or medical devices to the agency. She also reminded importers to go through NAFDAC-accredited Clean Report of Inspection and Analysis (CRIA) agents in the country of manufacture to ensure the quality of imported products.
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