The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians about a suspected fake asthma medicine. They say using this medicine might cause treatment failure and other serious health problems.
NAFDAC shared this warning on Friday in a public alert on its official X account. They said the suspected counterfeit product, Ulmicort 0.5 mg/ml Inhalation Suspension, was found during market checks by pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca.
According to NAFDAC, AstraZeneca told them that the product looks very much like its registered asthma medicine, Pulmicort (Budesonide) Nebulising Suspension. This could confuse healthcare workers and patients.
Pulmicort is an inhaled corticosteroid used to prevent asthma symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath. It is a maintenance treatment for people living with asthma.
NAFDAC warned that fake medicines might not meet the necessary quality, safety, and effectiveness standards. They explained that such products could have wrong ingredients, the wrong amount of active ingredients, harmful substances, or may not have any active ingredient at all.
“The use of such products can result in treatment failure, worsening of respiratory conditions, unexpected adverse effects and other serious health consequences,” the agency said.
Asthma is a long-term illness that affects the airways in the lungs, causing inflammation and narrowing. This can lead to symptoms like wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. Regular treatment is needed to keep symptoms under control.
Giving details about the suspected fake product, NAFDAC said it has the batch number 25770416E. It was manufactured in June 2025 and will expire in May 2027. The product was reportedly found in Eastern Nigeria and linked to a distributor at 15 Chizzon, Awada, Obosi North, Anambra State.
The agency also stated that the suspected counterfeit product is labeled as being made by Legency Remedies PVT Ltd, based in Himachal Pradesh, India. NAFDAC has started an investigation to find out where the fake medicine comes from and how it is distributed.
The agency said that all its zonal directors and state coordinators have been told to increase checks and conduct operations to remove the product from the market across the country.
NAFDAC urged the public and healthcare workers to buy medicines only from licensed pharmacies and approved distributors. They should also check product labels and packaging carefully before use.
The agency encouraged people to report any suspected counterfeit or substandard medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office. This can be done via their toll-free line, email, or online reporting platforms.
It also advised healthcare workers and patients to quickly report any bad reactions related to medicinal products through their pharmacovigilance reporting channels.
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