The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has issued a public alert on the circulation of falsified Oxycontin 80mg (oxycodone hydrochloride) tablets, discovered in an unregulated market in Switzerland.
In a statement released on Thursday, NAFDAC warned that the fake product, bearing batch number 262174, was flagged by the genuine manufacturer, Mundipharma, in February 2025.
The counterfeit tablets were falsely labeled as Oxycontin 80mg, a semi-synthetic opioid used for managing moderate to severe pain.
However, laboratory analysis revealed that the falsified product does not contain oxycodone but instead has a synthetic opioid suspected to be a nitazene compound, a substance potentially hundreds of times stronger than oxycodone, posing a high risk of overdose.
NAFDAC highlighted that nitazene derivatives are potent synthetic opioids with unknown long-term effects and high toxicity, making them extremely dangerous for human consumption.
The agency also identified discrepancies in the counterfeit drug’s packaging, including incorrect placement of batch and expiry dates.
In response, NAFDAC has directed its zonal directors and state coordinators to conduct surveillance and retrieve any falsified Oxycontin products found in Nigeria.
It also urged importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and consumers to exercise caution and report any suspicious Oxycontin tablets.
The agency called on healthcare providers and patients to report any adverse reactions or concerns related to medicinal products through its official communication channels.
