The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted healthcare providers and the public to the circulation of counterfeit batches of Mabthera 500mg/50ml across parts of the country.
The warning follows reports from Roche Nigeria, which identified fake products bearing batch number N2110A09 reportedly found in Kaduna and Gombe states.
Mabthera, generically known as rituximab, is a specialised medication used in the treatment of blood cancers such as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, as well as autoimmune conditions including rheumatoid arthritis and vasculitis.
According to NAFDAC, the counterfeit products were detected after complaints from health workers, with patients said to have purchased the drugs at unusually low prices before presenting them at medical facilities.
The agency disclosed that the fake products were reportedly sold between ₦160,000 and ₦275,000, significantly below the normal market price.
Investigations by Roche Nigeria reportedly revealed inconsistencies in packaging, including incorrect labeling, improper Braille placement, and tamper-evident features that do not match authentic standards. The company also stated that the batch number in question is not found in its official records.
Further irregularities were observed in the physical attributes of the vials, including differences in design, sealing, and dimensions, all of which raised red flags about their authenticity.
Roche Nigeria described the discrepancies as deliberate signs of counterfeiting activity, noting that no physical samples were available for laboratory testing, and the findings were based on photographic evidence submitted by complainants.
NAFDAC stressed that genuine Mabthera is manufactured for F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd in Switzerland and produced at its facility in Germany.
The agency warned that the circulation of falsified oncology drugs poses serious risks to patients and urged medical practitioners to verify the authenticity of all medicines before use.
It further advised members of the public and healthcare professionals to report suspected counterfeit or substandard products to the nearest NAFDAC office, via its toll-free line, or through its official email channel.
NAFDAC reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public health, calling for increased vigilance and collaboration among stakeholders to curb the distribution of fake medicines.
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