The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised an alert regarding a batch of fake Meronem 1g injection presently in circulation, cautioning Nigerians, particularly healthcare providers, about its potential risks.
According to Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Pfizer, the Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH), flagged this issue after receiving patient notifications concerning suspicious Meronem 1g injection purchases. Pfizer reported that the content in the vial did not dissolve when prepared for use, and discrepancies were noticed upon further inspection of the packaging.
Adeyeye highlighted discrepancies between the reported crimp code and the production documentation batch code, indicating that the production process didn’t adhere to Pfizer’s specifications. She emphasized that the administration of this counterfeit product poses a significant risk to patients as its quality and safety cannot be guaranteed.
The antibiotic, Meronem (Meropenem trihydrate injection), is typically used for treating bacterial skin infections, abdominal infections, and meningitis in both adults and children aged three months and above.
The NAFDAC chief advised healthcare providers and patients to procure medical products solely from authorized or licensed suppliers. Adeyeye emphasized the importance of verifying the authenticity and physical condition of products before purchase and administration.
Furthermore, Adeyeye urged importers, wholesalers, and retailers to remain vigilant within the supply chain, discouraging illegal activities like importing, distributing, or selling counterfeit Meronem 1g injection or other substandard medicinal products.
She advised anyone possessing the counterfeit product to discontinue its use immediately and surrender it to the nearest NAFDAC office for proper handling and investigation.