The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert (No. 030/2025) warning Nigerians about the circulation of confirmed substandard and falsified medicines in the country.

According to the agency in a statement on Wednesday, the affected products are ARTEMETRIN DS and CIPROFIT 500 in Nigeria.

“The ARTEMETRIN DS (Artemether/Lumefantrine) tablet (80mg/480mg) is labelled manufactured by A.C. DRUGS Ltd, Plot C5/C6 Old Airport Road, Emene- Enugu State, Nigeria.”

“Also, the CIPROFIT 500 (Ciprofloxacin Tablet USP 500mg) is labelled and manufactured by Impact Pharmaceutical Ltd, No. 33A/33B Standard Industrial Layout Emene- Enugu State, Nigeria.”

“Both products were initially subjected to Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC), which showed indications of irregularities on both products, thereby prompting further analysis at a WHO-prequalified laboratory.

The results of the HPLC assay confirmed the following: ARTEMETRIN DS (Artemether/Lumefantrine) tablets (80mg/480mg) contain only 59.2% Artemether and 71.2% Lumefantrine, outside the expected 90-110% limits.

“CIPROFIT 500 (Ciprofloxacin Tablet USP 500mg) contained only 5.7% of Ciprofloxacin, outside the expected 90-110% limits.

NAFDAC noted that these products were purchased from a “licensed vendor and wholesaler,” yet they do not exist on the official NAFDAC registered products database.

Furthermore, all NAFDAC Registration Numbers stated on both products are false.

The agency has issued a strong warning to the public. “If you possess any of the products listed above, stop selling or using them immediately and return your stock to the nearest NAFDAC office,” the statement read.

“If you or someone you know has used any of these products and experienced adverse reactions, we strongly advise seeking immediate medical attention from a qualified healthcare professional.”