The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a serious public health warning following the discovery of an unregistered batch of the antibiotic Tarivid 200mg in Lagos State.

 

In an official statement released on Monday via its website, NAFDAC disclosed that the unauthorized batch of the medicine — produced by multinational pharmaceutical giant Sanofi — was uncovered during a routine surveillance exercise carried out by its Post-Marketing Surveillance Directorate in the Onipanu area of Shomolu Local Government Area.

Investigations revealed that the specific batch of Tarivid 200mg, which contains Ofloxacin, was not intended for the Nigerian market. Sanofi, the product’s authorized marketing holder, confirmed that the batch was originally manufactured for Pakistan, not Nigeria.

 

“This conclusion is based on a review conducted by Sanofi’s Anti-Falsified and Illicit Trafficking (AFIT) Central Laboratory,” NAFDAC stated.

 

Although the product bore a stated Nigerian registration number (AL016), NAFDAC clarified that it is not covered under any valid registration in Nigeria, raising concerns about its legitimacy and potential health risks.

Tarivid is a prescription antibiotic commonly used to treat bacterial infections of the respiratory tract, urinary tract, skin, and kidneys. However, NAFDAC has warned that unregistered pharmaceuticals pose serious health hazards, as their safety, quality, and efficacy have not been verified by the agency.

 

“The use of unregistered medicines can lead to treatment failure, harmful side effects, and antimicrobial resistance,” the agency warned.

 

The suspect batch was reportedly manufactured in September 2023 and bears an expiry date of August 2028, giving it a long shelf life — which further underscores the urgency of its removal from circulation.

NAFDAC has now directed all its zonal offices and state coordinators nationwide to intensify surveillance and ensure that the unregistered product is completely removed from the supply chain.

 

The agency also urged all stakeholders — including distributors, pharmacists, healthcare workers, and retailers — to exercise heightened vigilance and avoid selling, prescribing, or using the affected product.

NAFDAC is calling on all Nigerians to only obtain medicines from licensed pharmacies and authorized medical suppliers, stressing the importance of verifying the authenticity and physical condition of all medical products.

 

The agency emphasized that community involvement is key in tackling the influx of unregistered and possibly counterfeit medicines.

 

“If you suspect that a product may be substandard, falsified, or illegally imported, please report it immediately,” the agency advised.

 

Reports can be made by calling NAFDAC’s toll-free number 0800-162-3322 or by sending an email to the agency through their official contact channels.

 

This latest discovery comes amid rising global concerns over drug counterfeiting and diversion of pharmaceuticals — especially in developing countries, where regulatory and border controls may be less stringent.

 

NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the health of Nigerians and ensuring that only safe, effective, and regulated medicines are available to the public.