A Nigerian man identified as Oladele has raised the alarm over the alleged circulation of counterfeit malaria drugs after his younger brother reportedly developed kidney complications following treatment for malaria.
Oladele disclosed the incident in a post shared on his X account and sighted by PROMPT NEWS where he uploaded a video showing his brother receiving treatment on a hospital bed.
In the emotional post, he alleged that the health condition of his brother deteriorated after he was administered a malaria medication suspected to be fake.
“This is my little brother. The malaria drug he was given led to his kidney issues,” he wrote.
He further expressed outrage over the alleged production and distribution of counterfeit drugs in the country, praying for divine punishment against those behind the act.
The video has since generated reactions online, with many Nigerians expressing concern over the growing menace of fake pharmaceutical products in the country.
Counterfeit antimalarial drugs have remained a major public health concern in Nigeria over the years, despite repeated warnings by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
The agency had previously alerted the public to the circulation of fake Artemether/Lumefantrine tablets marketed under the brand name Aflotin 20/120.
According to a statement issued by the agency, the counterfeit product was detected and reported by the original manufacturer, Ajanta Pharma Limited.
NAFDAC disclosed that investigations revealed discrepancies in the packaging and labelling of the product, including mismatched overprinting styles and carton artwork inconsistent with the manufacturer’s approved design.
The agency also stated that the counterfeit product carried Batch No. PA2128L, originally produced by Ajanta Pharma in December 2018 for another malaria medication known as Combisunate 20/120.
NAFDAC warned that the fake product was being repackaged and sold fraudulently as Aflotin 20/120 in the Nigerian market.
The agency noted that genuine Aflotin tablets are prescribed for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria caused by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite.
The viral video has further renewed concerns about drug safety and the need for stricter enforcement against counterfeit medicines across the country.
Watch the video here