The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a warning to Nigerians, particularly healthcare providers, regarding the circulation of a fraudulent batch of Meronem 1g Injection in the country.

In Abuja on Tuesday, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, alerted the public to this issue.

The alert came after Pfizer, the Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH), reported the incident through a patient notification mechanism, highlighting a suspicious batch of Meronem 1g injectable being offered for sale.

Adeyeye, referring to information provided by Pfizer, disclosed that a visual examination of the identified batch revealed that the contents of the vial failed to dissolve when reconstituted for use.

Additionally, discrepancies were found between the crimp code and the code listed on the 2A21F11 production documentation batch, which is the semi-finished batch utilized for 4A21I17.

The NAFDAC Director-General emphasized that the manufacturing process did not comply with Pfizer’s standards. She noted, “The vial label compares favourably to the purported artwork version.

Meronem (Meropenem trihydrate injection) is an antibiotic used to treat skin and abdominal infections caused by bacteria and meningitis in adults and children 3 months of age and  older.”

Adeyeye warned that the use of the counterfeit product poses a significant risk to patients, as its quality and safety cannot be guaranteed.

She urged patients and healthcare professionals to procure medical supplies exclusively from approved and licensed vendors, emphasizing the importance of thoroughly inspecting the physical state and validity of products before purchase or use.