 has issued a public alert following the discovery of an unregistered batch of the antibiotic Tarivid 200mg in Lagos.){kind=link}
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert following the discovery of an unregistered batch of the antibiotic Tarivid 200mg in Lagos.
In a statement posted on its official website on Monday, the agency disclosed that the product was uncovered during routine post-marketing surveillance in the Onipanu area of Shomolu Local Government, Lagos State.
NAFDAC’s investigation revealed that the batch, manufactured by pharmaceutical giant Sanofi, was not intended for distribution in Nigeria.
According to the agency, Sanofi’s representative, who also serves as the Marketing Authorisation Holder for the product, confirmed that the specific batch was produced for the Pakistani market.
“This conclusion was reached after an assessment carried out by Sanofi’s Anti-Falsified and Illicit Trafficking Central Laboratory,” NAFDAC noted in the statement.
The agency emphasized that the product does not fall under any currently approved registration in Nigeria, making its sale and distribution unauthorized and illegal.
Tarivid, which contains Ofloxacin as its active ingredient, is commonly used to treat a range of bacterial infections affecting the respiratory system, urinary tract, skin, soft tissues, and kidneys.
NAFDAC warned that the circulation of unregistered medical products poses a serious threat to public health, as their safety, efficacy, and quality cannot be assured.
“The presence of such medicines in the market contravenes regulatory standards and exposes the public to significant health risks,” the agency cautioned.
The product details provided by the agency include: Tarivid (Ofloxacin 200mg), manufactured in September 2023, with an expiry date of August 2028. The product also bears the National Registration Number AL016.
In response, NAFDAC has instructed all its zonal directors and state coordinators to intensify surveillance and remove the affected batch from the market.
It also urged healthcare providers, retailers, and distributors to remain vigilant and to ensure all medical products are sourced from licensed and approved suppliers.
The agency advised consumers to verify the authenticity and condition of any medicines they purchase and report any suspected cases of substandard or falsified products to the nearest NAFDAC office. Reports can also be submitted via the agency’s toll-free number 0800-162-3322 or by emailing [email protected].