The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a safety alert after discovering a falsified antibiotic, BETACLOX (Ampicillin 250mg and Cloxacillin 250mg), in Nigeria’s drug market.
The product, traced from Gambori Market in Maiduguri to a retail outlet in Zaria, was found to bear a fake NAFDAC number (A4-4724) belonging to another medicine, Mebendazole 500mg, produced by Chi Ltd.
NAFDAC said the packaging also falsely listed Freeview Pharmaceutical Ltd., Calabar, as the importer, using an incorrect address. The mismatch deepened doubts about the drug’s authenticity.
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The agency warned that the fake antibiotic, meant to treat bacterial infections, poses serious health threats—ranging from treatment failure to antimicrobial resistance.
Key details to take note off are; product: BETACLOX (Ampicillin 250mg + Cloxacillin 250mg); batch No.-230701, mfg. Date-07/2023; exp. Date: 07/2026 and fake reg. No.- A4-4724.
The agency urged pharmacists and the public to remain alert, noting that counterfeit medicines continue to infiltrate the supply chain, undermining patient safety and public confidence in healthcare.
