NAFDAC raises alarm over fake Giga-S injection

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted the public to a falsified batch of Giga-S injections discovered in Aba, Abia State.

Giga-S Injection (Ceftriaxone + Sulbactam Inj.1.5g IM/IV) is indicated for the treatment of severe infections due to susceptible organisms, including septicemia, pneumonia, and meningitis.

NAFDAC, in a statement, warned that the fake product, used to treat severe infections, may have been distributed to other parts of the country.

“Although this falsified batch product was identified in Abia State, it may likely have been distributed to other parts of the country through informal markets. Consequently, it is important to detect and remove it from circulation to prevent harm to patients,” said NAFDAC in a statement.

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The details of the original batch are as follows:

Product photo of Genuine (Expired Giga-S Injection)

The details of the Falsified are as follows:

Photo of the Falsified Giga-S Injection

NAFDAC, however, implores importers, distributors, retailers, and healthcare providers to always exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and administration or use of falsified or substandard medicinal products.

The agency added that all medical products must be obtained from authorised or licenced suppliers and the products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.

It also urged members of the public in possession of the above product to discontinue sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

“If you have this counterfeit product, please DO NOT use it. If you, or anyone you know, have used this product or suffered any adverse reaction/event after use, you are advised to seek immediate medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional,” it added.

“Healthcare professionals and consumers are advised to report any suspicious substandard and falsified medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.”

Similarly, healthcare professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of medicinal products to the nearest NAFDAC office, through the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng, via the Med-Safety application available for download on Android and iOS stores, or via email at pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng.

It alsonoted that this notice will be uploaded to the WHO Global Surveillance and Monitoring System (GSMS).