The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has ordered a nationwide recall of all products manufactured by Europharm Laboratories following tests that revealed dangerously low levels of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and other serious quality failures in multiple formulations.
The agency announced the directive through its official X handle, confirming that enforcement teams had already begun removing the affected medicines from circulation across Nigeria.
NAFDAC stated that the recall follows regulatory surveillance and credible intelligence indicating that Europharm Laboratories had been producing, selling, and distributing several pharmaceutical products without the required marketing authorisation. Investigations at the company’s facility revealed numerous items being manufactured or circulated in breach of national drug safety regulations.
Laboratory analysis confirmed significant quality defects in some products, posing major public health risks. Tests conducted on two formulations of Linmoxyn (Amoxicillin) revealed critically low API levels: the suspension versions recorded only 13.9% and 18.4% API content, while the 500mg capsules contained just 48.3%, confirming them as grossly substandard.
Several other products were also recovered from the Europharm site in Jos, including Linocloxin, Linromycine, Linocillin, Linmoxyn suspension, Eurogyl, Naflin, Natacid, Navit-B, Fountain B-12 syrups, Vitamin-C syrup, Eurogyl tablets, Euramol tablets, Euramox tablets, Linotrim, and Linoquine.
NAFDAC urged distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers to remain vigilant, avoid stocking or dispensing unverified products, and purchase medicines only from authorised suppliers. Users were also advised to check the authenticity and physical condition of medicines before use. Suspected substandard or falsified products should be reported immediately to the nearest NAFDAC office or via the agency’s toll-free line.
In a related development, Dr. Festus Ukadike, South-East Zonal Director of NAFDAC, reminded operators across multiple sectors to comply with regulatory requirements, warning that violations could attract legal sanctions. Speaking at a one-day stakeholders’ sensitisation programme in Owerri, Imo State, Dr. Ukadike brought together representatives from NAPPMED, ATWAP, ACPN, supermarket operators, NAIP, agro-input dealers, herbal medicine practitioners, bakers, and food outlets including Chicken Republic.
Dr. Ukadike emphasised NAFDAC’s mandate to ensure the safety, quality, and efficacy of all regulated products, urging stakeholders to maintain good hygiene, follow proper manufacturing practices, ensure valid registration licences, and align personnel, equipment, and procedures with regulatory guidelines. He also highlighted the importance of correct storage and distribution practices, cautioning against unscientific claims that a single drug can treat multiple ailments such as hypertension, diabetes, and asthma.
