Counterfeit Breast Cancer Drug Circulates in Nigeria, Philippines, and Turkey
LAGOS, Nigeria – Authorities in Nigeria are warning healthcare providers and the public about the circulation of counterfeit Phesgo 600mg, a medication used to treat breast cancer. The alert, issued by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Tuesday, follows complaints received from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and reports from international partners.
The counterfeit drug has been identified in at least four confirmed cases across Nigeria, Turkey, and the Philippines, all linked to the same false information and, crucially, batch number B2346B16. A second batch, C3809C5, has also been flagged, with reports indicating discrepancies in vial volume – some samples contained approximately 20 millilitres instead of the expected 10 millilitres.
Roche, the Marketing Authorisation Holder for Phesgo, investigated photographs of the suspected counterfeit products and compared them to genuine samples. The company confirmed several discrepancies, including non-existent batch numbers in their database, incorrect text, a mismatched Global Trade Item Number (GTIN), and the absence of a tamper-evident label. Chemical analysis was not possible as physical samples were not submitted.
Phesgo 600mg contains pertuzumab and trastuzumab, and works by targeting and inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. NAFDAC emphasized the serious health risks posed by counterfeit medications, which do not meet required safety, quality, and efficacy standards.
“All NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the counterfeit products within their jurisdictions,” the agency stated.
NAFDAC is urging importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers to remain vigilant throughout the supply chain, sourcing medical products only from authorized and licensed suppliers. The agency also encourages the reporting of suspected substandard or falsified medicines through its official channels, including a toll-free line, website, and pharmacovigilance platforms.
This alert is the latest in a series of regulatory actions by NAFDAC targeting unsafe medical products. Earlier this week, the agency announced the recall of MR.7 Super 700000 capsules after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found undeclared sildenafil and tadalafil – ingredients commonly found in erectile dysfunction medication – within the product.
