FG issues alert over fake medicine in circulation

The Federal Government on Saturday alerted Nigerians that two confirmed falsified versions of Quinine Sulphate earlier discovered in Cameroon and Democratic Republic of Congo, might have been smuggled into the country.
The government’s alarm was contained in a statement titled, “Falsified Quinine Sulphate circulating in West and Central Africa”, issued by the Director (Media and Public Relations) in the Ministry of Health, Mrs. Boade Akinola, on behalf of the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole.
The falsified versions, according to the statement, contained zero active pharmaceutical ingredients.
She said, “The quinine Sulphate is used in the treatment of malaria. The implication of using the falsified one is that it will not be effective and may also lead to other health challenges.”
“Quinine Sulphate is used for the treatment of Falciparum Malaria in the region and this implies that the falsified drugs will not be effective.
“These products, which were initially discovered by a local NGO, failed the preliminary field screening and were submitted to a World Health Organisation pre-qualified Quality Assurance laboratory.
“Subsequent analysis showed that neither product contained any of the stated active pharmaceutical ingredient. The first product was discovered in Cameroon.”
She gave the technical details of the first product as 20, Avenue Appia – CH-1211 Geneva 27 – Switzerland –Tel Central +41 22 791 2111 – Fax Central +41 22 791 3111.
Other details of the product according to her are, fProduct Name: Quinine Sulfate 300 mg; Number of Tablets per container: 1000; Batch Number: 10H05 Expiry Date: 09/2018; Date of manufacture: 09/2014; Manufacturer: Novadina Pharmaceutical Ltd, London, United Kingdom.”