Victor Ezeja
The National Agency for the Control of Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has alerted Nigerians about a fake “Knowit” Insulin Syringe 40 IU 29g X 1/2 currently circulating in Nigeria.
In a statement, the agency said the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), raised concerns that 40 IU/ML insulin syringes was being used despite the availability of 100 IU/ML insulin syringes.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelNAFDAC explained that both 40iu/ml Insulin syringe and the 100iu/ml were previously approved for administering Lente animal insulins because of its presentation in both strengths, but after animal insulins were stopped from being used, when human insulin came into place, it stopped allowing use of 40iu/ml insulin syringe “as it could cause dosing errors with serious adverse consequences on diabetic patients using them.”
It emphasised that “Insulin dosing errors are life-threatening and could result in severe complications for diabetic patients.”
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Product details
According to NAFDAC, the number on the falsified Knowit Insulin Syringe is 03-2933. The agency also listed other details on the product, including the Manufacturing Date of August 2020 and the expiry Date of August 2025. It said the manufacturer’s name and address are unknown.
The agency clarified that the NAFDAC Registration number on the product is falsified, adding that the product license expired in 2019.
It warned that illegal marketing of medical products, or substandard and falsified medical products, poses a serious risk to public health. “By failing to comply with regulatory provisions, the safety, quality, and efficacy of these products cannot be guaranteed.”
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It directed all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators to carry out surveillance and mop up the substandard and falsified products within the zones and states.
“Importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers are hereby advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and use of substandard and falsified products. All medical products must be obtained from authorized/licensed suppliers. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.”
It advised healthcare professionals and consumers to report any suspicion of the sale of this product to the nearest NAFDAC office, or call 0800-162-3322 or send an email to sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng
It also enjoined healthcare professionals and patients to report side effects related to the use of certain medicinal products or devices 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 and IOS stores or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
