Beware, Chinese Firms Circulating Fake Chloroquine Brands – NAFDAC

Patients in need of chloroquine phosphate to manage their conditions may have to be wary as Chinese firms have loaded the market with fakes.

This development has been confirmed by both the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

NAFDAC in a statement on the matter informed it had been alerted of the circulation of the tablets of the said brand in Cameroon.

“The falsified chloroquine phosphate 250mg tablets were manufactured by Jiangsu pharmaceutical Inc, Astral pharmaceutical New Bhupalpura, China. “The tablets manufactured by these companies have no Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) and are in packs of 1000 tablets.

“The use of the falsified chloroquine phosphate 250mg tablets may result in treatment failure and could even cause death,” the agency warned in the statement signed by its Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye

NAFDAC added that the labelling information on the falsified chloroquine phosphate 250mg tablets manufactured by Jiangsu pharmaceutical Inc, China is labelled with fake NAFDAC No.: 028060.

“The Astral pharmaceuticals, New Bhupalpura, China is labelled with fake NAFDAC registration No. 0587612 .

“All importers, wholesalers, and retailers are hereby cautioned to desist from illegal importation, distribution, and sale of falsified chloroquine phosphate 250mg tablets.

“NAFDAC has strengthened its surveillance in all ports of entry to prevent illegal importation of the falsified chloroquine phosphate 250mg tablets.

“The agency has also heightened surveillance in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to prevent distribution and sale of this falsified drug.

“Healthcare providers and other members of the public are advised to be vigilant and contact the nearest NAFDAC office with any information on the falsified chloroquine,” the release said.

NAFDAC Toll free lines to call in case of suspicion:

0800-1-NAFDAC and 0800-1-623322.