The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted the public about the circulation of counterfeit cancer drugs in Nigeria, highlighting serious risks to patients’ health.
The agency’s public notice on Thursday revealed that fake versions of widely used oncology drugs, Avastin and Tecentriq, have been detected across the country. The warning followed multiple reports from healthcare professionals and confirmation from Roche Nigeria regarding suspected counterfeit products.
NAFDAC noted that some patients had already bought the drugs, priced between ₦180,000 and ₦350,000—significantly lower than genuine versions—raising concerns about their authenticity. Investigations uncovered discrepancies such as mismatched batch numbers, poor printing quality, incorrect text placement, and irregular serial numbers inconsistent with Roche’s authentication standards. Specific counterfeit batches identified include Avastin H4239A70, H2290A34, A3508B02, and Tecentriq B3071A12.
While laboratory tests could not be conducted due to the lack of physical samples, packaging evidence and complaints provided enough cause for concern. NAFDAC warned that these fake drugs may contain incorrect dosages, no active ingredients, or toxic substances, potentially resulting in treatment failure, severe complications, or death.
The agency directed all zonal directors and state coordinators to intensify surveillance and remove counterfeit products nationwide. It also urged importers, distributors, healthcare providers, and patients to source medicines only from authorised suppliers and to report any suspected fake or substandard drugs through official channels.
