By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
17- SEPT- 2025

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised a serious public health warning following the confirmation of substandard and falsified medicines currently in circulation in Nigeria. The alert, issued under Public Alert No. 030/2025, pertains specifically to two products: ARTEMETRIN DS (Artemether/Lumefantrine) 80mg/480mg tablets and CIPROFIT 500 (Ciprofloxacin Tablet USP 500mg).

According to NAFDAC, the falsified ARTEMETRIN DS tablets are labelled as manufactured by A.C. Drugs Ltd, Plot C5/C6 Old Airport Road, Emene-Enugu State, Nigeria, while the falsified CIPROFIT 500 tablets are labelled as manufactured by Impact Pharmaceutical Ltd, No. 33A/33B Standard Industrial Layout, Emene-Enugu State, Nigeria. Both manufacturers’ details are fictitious, and the products do not appear in the NAFDAC registered products database. Furthermore, the registration numbers displayed on the packaging are false.

The Agency explained that initial testing of the products through Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC) revealed irregularities, which prompted further investigations. Comprehensive testing was subsequently conducted at a World Health Organization (WHO)-prequalified laboratory using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) assay. The results confirmed that both medicines were grossly substandard:

ARTEMETRIN DS (Artemether/Lumefantrine) contained only 59.2% Artemether and 71.2% Lumefantrine, which fall well below the acceptable pharmacological range of 90-110%.

CIPROFIT 500 (Ciprofloxacin USP 500mg) contained only 5.7% Ciprofloxacin, a dangerously low concentration that renders the medicine ineffective and potentially harmful.

NAFDAC emphasized the dangers posed by these falsified products, warning that consumption could lead to treatment failure, worsening of disease conditions, antimicrobial resistance, and even loss of life. Particularly, the ineffective levels of active ingredients in these medicines compromise the health of patients who rely on them for the treatment of malaria and bacterial infections.

The Agency disclosed that these products were purchased from a “licensed vendor and wholesaler”, thereby highlighting the fact that even legitimate distribution channels can unknowingly circulate falsified medicines.

NAFDAC strongly advised members of the public to immediately discontinue the sale or use of these products. Individuals or vendors in possession of ARTEMETRIN DS or CIPROFIT 500 are instructed to return their stock to the nearest NAFDAC office without delay.

Furthermore, anyone who has consumed these medicines and experienced adverse reactions is urged to seek urgent medical attention from qualified healthcare professionals. Healthcare workers and consumers are equally encouraged to be vigilant and to report any suspected cases of substandard or falsified medicines directly to NAFDAC through the following channels:

Nearest NAFDAC office
Toll-free number: 0800-162-3322
Email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng

This latest alert reinforces NAFDAC’s commitment to safeguarding public health through the surveillance, detection, and elimination of dangerous and falsified medical products in the Nigerian market. The Agency reiterated that it will continue working in collaboration with local and international partners to protect citizens from the grave risks posed by counterfeit medicines.

Kano State Deputy Commander-General of Hisbah, Mujahideen Aminudeen, has said that most marital crises are as a result of metal issues.

He revealed that the Kano State Hisbah Board has began plans to start conducting mental health tests for intending couple before marriage, in an effort to reduce rising cases of domestic violence and divorce in the state.

Mujahideen Aminudeen told Ekwutosblog in an interview that the measure is aimed at ensuring couple are mentally fit to live together peacefully.

“We have realized that many of the problems we see in marriages today are linked to mental health. The test will help us know if both partners are truly ready to live together without harming one another,” he said.

“In our marital counseling sessions, we see a lot of women suffering from anxiety and depression, so ensuring mental health stability is crucial to a successful union,” Aminudeen emphasized.

He also expressed concern over the use of alcohol and intoxicants, saying Hisbah has uncovered cases of women selling them at home, which he described as a major contributor to the mental health crisis.

“We have uncovered that there are women at home who are selling alcohol and other intoxicant at homes, this is a major cause for concern for us and it is adding to mental health crisis” Aminudeen stated.

Aminudeen explained that the new requirement will also apply to the divorcees whose marriages are usually sponsored by the government.

“We already have a series of test that are mandatory in the state before marraige, like genotype and sexually transmitted diseases, so adding a mental health evaluation will not be a stretch”

He further urged parents to carefully investigate the character of suitors before giving their approval for any union.

The announcement comes on the heels of a disturbing case in Farawa Quarters in May 2025 where 18-year-old Saudat Jibril allegedly killed her husband, Salisu Idris, only nine days after their wedding.

Resident Doctors across some Federal Government hospitals in Lagos State have demonstrated full compliance with the five-day warning strike declared by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

A visit by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday to some health institutions, including the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), and National Orthopedic Hospital Igbobi, Lagos (NOHIL), showed full compliance, as resident doctors were not seen working.

NAN reports that NARD declared a five-day warning strike on Friday, following the expiration of a 24-hour ultimatum issued to the Federal Government after an earlier 10-day deadline lapsed on September 10 without resolution of their demands.

The demands raised by the doctors include the non-release of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, non-payment of five months’ arrears arising from the revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, as well as outstanding specialist and hazard allowances.

The strike coincides with ongoing industrial action by resident doctors in Abuja and Oyo State, and follows NARD’s issuance of a 10-day ultimatum to relevant government agencies over unmet demands.

The President of the Association of Resident Doctors, LUTH, Dr. Benjamin Uyi, urged the Federal Government to address the demands of resident doctors before the expiration of the five-day warning strike, to encourage the doctors to return to work.

Uyi said the demands of the doctors were long overdue and should have been addressed by the government earlier.

According to him, the demands of the doctors centered on prioritising the welfare of the doctors, to make their operations more conducive and motivating.

“Any doctor whose welfare is not met is already a risk to the patients.

“For any doctor to function optimally, his/ her physical , mental health and psychosocial needs must be balanced.

“The doctors are already burnt out and faced with excessive workload and work schedule, and the government is yet to prioritise their welfare,” Uyi said.

Speaking to the President, Dr. Babatunde Egberongbe, of the Association of Resident Doctors and NOHIL, described the incident as “unfortunate,” decrying why the FG must always allow strikes in the health sector.

Egberongbe, who frowned at incessant industrial actions by health professionals, said it was a major contributing factor to the migration of health practitioners to other countries.

“The poor working conditions for the doctors are the major reason why many of them are leaving the country to practise abroad.

“Presently, there are limited number of doctors in hospitals across the country, yet the government has not deemed it necessary to prioritize their welfare and demands.

“Let the government as a matter of urgency address our demands, because we are not asking for anything extraordinary,” he said.