The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has issued a warning about a falsified batch of Giga-S Injection found in Abia State.
This fake medicine might have spread to other parts of Nigeria through informal markets, and it is important to find and remove it to protect patients.
Giga-S injection is an antibiotic medication used to treat severe bacterial infections. Some of the infections Giga-S injection is used for include; Septicemia (blood infection), Pneumonia, and Meningitis.
The injection comes as a powder that must be mixed with sterile water or saline before injection
In a statement, NAFDAC urged importers, distributors, retailers, and healthcare providers to be very careful and watchful within the supply chain. They should avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and use of fake or substandard medicines.
“All medical products must be obtained from authorised/licensed suppliers. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked,” NAFDAC said.
NAFDAC advised people who have this counterfeit product to stop selling or using it and to submit their stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.
“If you have this counterfeit product, please DO NOT use it. If you, or anyone you know, have used this product, or suffered any adverse reaction/event after use, you are advised to seek immediate medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional,” NAFDAC stated.
NAFDAC also asked healthcare professionals and consumers to report any suspicious substandard and falsified medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office. Reports can also be made by calling 0800-162-3322 or via email at [email protected].
Additionally, NAFDAC encouraged reporting adverse events or side effects related to the use of medicinal products. This can be done through the E-reporting platforms on the NAFDAC website (www.nafdac.gov.ng), the Med-safety app available on Android and IOS stores, or via email at [email protected].
NAFDAC mentioned that this warning will also be uploaded to the WHO Global Surveillance and Monitoring System.
