NAFDAC Alerts On Fake Drugs In Circulation

The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted the public of the circulation of a fake anti-hypertensive drug.
NAFDAC’s Director General (DG), Prof Moji Adeyeye in a statement yeterday in Abuja, said that the drug, Hydrochlorothiazide 50mg (containing Glibenclamide) was currently circulating in Cameroon, our correspondent reports. “NAFDAC is alerting the public, especially healthcare providers on the circulation of confirmed falsified Hydrochlorothiazide 50mg tablets in Cameroun.
“The falsified product has been found to contain Glibenclamide instead of Hydrochlorothiazide.
“In March 2019, the World Health Organisation (WHO) was informed by an NGO in Cameroun that a medicine, presented as Hydrochlorothiazide 50mg tablets, has caused hypoglycaemia in patients.
“Confirmatory laboratory analysis has established that the product did not contain hydrochlorothiazide, the stated active ingredient, glibenclamide was instead identified,” Adeyeye said.
She explained that the genuine version of the drug was for treatment of hypertension.
According to her, the falsified medicine poses grave danger to patients.
“Hydrochlorothiazide is used as an anti-hypertensive and diuretic medicine, whereas Glibenclamide is an anti-diabetic medicine.
“The falsified medicine presents a risk for patients who are taking hydrochlorothiazide for the treatment of hypertension.
“The label on the plastic container of this falsified product states LaboratoiresSterop as the manufacturer, however, this company has confirmed to WHO that it did not manufacture or supply the falsified product.