The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted Nigerians to the circulation of a suspected substandard and falsified (SF) pharmaceutical product, BETACLOX — a combination of ampicillin and cloxacillin — found within the nation’s drug supply chain.
According to a statement from the agency, the product bears fraudulent registration details and originates from an unverified source, posing serious health risks to consumers.
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The discovery followed a report from a retail outlet in Zaria, Kaduna State, which identified the product as suspicious after purchasing it from a Kano-based distributor. Investigations revealed that the distributor had obtained the product from Gambori Market in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Preliminary findings show that the NAFDAC Registration Number (NRN) A4-4724 printed on the falsified BETACLOX packaging actually belongs to a different product — Mebendazole 500mg, manufactured by Chi Ltd. This misappropriation, NAFDAC said, is a clear indicator of falsification.
Additionally, the packaging of the suspected SF product lists the manufacturer’s address as “No. 128 MCC Road, Calabar”. However, checks with the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) confirmed that Freeview Pharmaceutical Ltd., whose name appears on the product, is officially located at “No. 101 MCC Road, Calabar, Cross River State.” The agency noted that this discrepancy raises further doubts about the authenticity of the product and possible unauthorised use of the company’s identity.
BETACLOX (Ampicillin 250mg + Cloxacillin 250mg) is a fixed-dose combination antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections of the respiratory tract, ear, nose, throat, urinary tract, skin, soft tissue, and gastrointestinal system.
Details of the suspected SF product:
Product Name: BETACLOX (Ampicillin 250mg and Cloxacillin 250mg)
Alleged Importer: Freeview Pharmaceutical Ltd.
Address on Label: No. 128 MCC Road, Calabar, Cross River State
NAFDAC has urged healthcare professionals, distributors, and consumers to exercise extreme caution and to report any suspected cases of substandard or falsified medical products to the nearest NAFDAC office, call 0800-162-3322, or email sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public health by ensuring that only safe, high-quality, and properly registered medical products are available in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical market.
