The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public warning following the discovery of an unregistered batch of Tarivid 200mg, an antibiotic, in Lagos.
In a statement released Monday on its official website, NAFDAC said the product—manufactured by pharmaceutical company Sanofi—was found during a routine surveillance operation conducted by its Post-Marketing Surveillance Directorate in the Onipanu area of Shomolu Local Government Area.
Upon investigation, the agency determined that the batch in question was not intended for the Nigerian market. Sanofi, which holds the product’s marketing authorization, confirmed that the batch was originally manufactured for distribution in Pakistan.
“This conclusion is based on a review conducted by Sanofi’s Anti-Falsified and Illicit Trafficking (AFIT) Central Laboratory,” the agency stated.
NAFDAC emphasized that the identified batch is not registered in Nigeria and is therefore not authorized for sale or distribution within the country.
Tarivid, which contains Ofloxacin 200mg, is an antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections, including those affecting the respiratory tract, kidneys, skin, and urinary tract.
The agency warned that unregistered medicines pose a serious risk to public health, as their safety, quality, and effectiveness cannot be guaranteed without proper regulatory oversight.
The product in question was manufactured in September 2023, with an expiry date of August 2028. Although it bears a stated Nigerian registration number (AL016), NAFDAC confirmed it is not covered under any valid registration in Nigeria.
NAFDAC has directed its zonal offices and state coordinators to intensify surveillance and ensure the product is removed from circulation.
It also called on distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers to remain alert and avoid distributing or using the unregistered batch.
“All medical products should be obtained from licensed and authorized suppliers.
Their authenticity and physical condition must be carefully verified,” the agency advised.
NAFDAC urged anyone who suspects the presence of substandard or falsified medicines to report immediately by calling 0800-162-3322 or emailing [email protected].