NAFDAC raises the alarm over fake diabetes drug

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted Nigerians to the circulation of suspected counterfeit medicines being marketed as Forxiga (dapagliflozin), a drug used in the management of Type 2 diabetes and other health conditions.

The agency issued the warning in Public Alert No. 036/2026 published on Thursday following the detection of the suspected counterfeit products during market surveillance by pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca.

According to NAFDAC, AstraZeneca notified the agency after discovering products with names similar to Forxiga and packaging that allegedly imitates the company’s brand identity and logo.

Genuine Forxiga (dapagliflozin) is prescribed to help control blood sugar in people with Type 2 diabetes. It is also used to reduce cardiovascular deaths and hospitalisations among some patients with heart failure and to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease.

NAFDAC warned that counterfeit medicines could contain the wrong ingredients or dosage, harmful contaminants or no active pharmaceutical ingredient at all.

The agency said taking such products could result in treatment failure, worsening of existing medical conditions and other serious health risks.

NAFDAC identified two suspected counterfeit products currently under investigation.

The first, labelled Forzigar, carries batch number ATE-262, a manufacturing date of March 2025 and an expiry date of February 2028. Alliance Biotech is listed as its manufacturer.

The second, Foziga, bears batch number GIB405-, with a manufacturing date of June 2024 and an expiry date of May 2027. Medico Remedies Ltd is listed as the manufacturer.

The agency clarified that the genuine product is marketed as Forxiga (dapagliflozin), a film-coated tablet manufactured by AstraZeneca.

NAFDAC said it had commenced investigations to determine the source and distribution network of the suspected counterfeit products.

It added that all zonal directors and state coordinators had been directed to conduct surveillance and mop-up operations to identify and remove the products from circulation.

The agency advised Nigerians to purchase medicines only from licensed pharmacies and authorised distributors.

It also urged consumers and healthcare professionals to carefully examine medicine labels and packaging before purchasing or using any product.

NAFDAC encouraged members of the public to report suspected substandard or falsified medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office or through the agency’s official reporting channels.