NAFDAC Arrests CEO of Pharmacy Firm Over Adulterated Drugs

•Orders recall of Deekins-Amoxycilin-500

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said it has arrested the owner of a pharmaceutical company – Ecomed Pharma Limited – over alleged manufacture of substandard Deekins Amoxycillin.

Consequently, the agency said it has ordered investigation in a case of suspected substandard Deekins Amoxycillin 500mg Capsule, manufactured by Ecomed Pharma Ltd and marketed by Devine Kings Pharmaceutical Ltd, with lot number 4C639001.

She said that an alert has been placed against the product on December 3, 2024: “Alert on the recall of deekins – amoxycilin -500 capsule batch 4c639001 has been placed. Healthcare professionals and consumers are advised to report any suspicion of substandard and falsified medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng

“Similarly, healthcare professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of the medicinal product to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med-safety application available for download on android.”

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye said that the agency has also alerted major drug distribution outlets across the country to take measures to prevent sale of the affected medicine to members of the public until the investigations are over.

She said that the agency took the step following reports of serious adverse drug reactions being experienced by patients that took the medication across the country.

 According to Ecomed Pharma Ltd, reports of serious adverse drug reactions were received from a hospital that reported three cases of serious adverse drug reactions from patients administered with the batch of Deekins Amoxycillin 500mg.

Speaking on the constraints facing the agency, she said that NAFDAC is experiencing acute short of personnel to effectively carry out its mandate.

Adeyeye said in the statement obtained from the Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH), capsule, Divine King Pharmaceutical Ltd, Mr. Kingsley Ekeanyanwu, he said that all products were manufactured by Ecomed Pharma Ltd.

According to the DG, the manufacturer Ecomed Pharma Ltd in his statement claimed to have produced only twenty packets (20) of the affected batch number 4C639001 for the purposes of renewal of his registration.

He also claimed to have manufactured One Thousand, Nine Hundred and Sixty-One (1,961) packets, Batch No 4C639002. However, Seven Hundred and Ninety (790) packs of Batch 4C639001 with manufacturing 03/2024 and Expiry Date 02/2027 were recalled, which he did not manufacture.

The NAFDAC’s DG said that the products have been sampled for laboratory analysis against the suspects, Pharm. Ekene Christopher, Ecomed Pharma Ltd and Mr. Kingsley Ekeanyanwu, of Devine Kings Pharmaceutical Ltd.

Her words: “The analysis is currently pending determination while the investigation which is ongoing.

“Meanwhile, the Quality Control and Production Managers have been invited for further investigation,

“The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, the agency that issued site license for the site and the pharmacist in charge has been notified.  

“The public is hereby warned to avoid the use of the suspected substandard Deekins Amoxycillin 500mg Capsule

“NAFDAC implores distributors, healthcare providers, and patients to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid distribution, administration, and use of the affected lots of the product.

“All medical products must be obtained from authorized/licensed suppliers. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked”.

Adeyeye advised anyone in possession of the affected lot to immediately discontinue the sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.