TheCable

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it has blacklisted an Indian company for manufacturing falsified drugs for a pharmaceutical company located in Lagos.

Moji Adeyeye, director-general of the agency, in a statement on Sunday, announced the ban on importation of all drugs manufactured by the Indian company.

She explained that the company illegally manufactured variations of ciprofloxacin tablets, instead of the approved formulation for export to Nigeria.

“NAFDAC has blacklisted Mars Remedies PVT Limited, India, for the manufacture of falsified ciprofloxacin Tablets BP 500mg (NAFDAC REG. NO C4-0498) for Pinnacle Health Pharmaceutical Ltd, Surulere, Lagos,” the statement read.

“In view of the unprofessional practice, all products manufactured by Mars Remedies PVT LTD will not be allowed into Nigeria with immediate effect.

“In a letter dated October 9, 2020 addressed to the managing director of Mars Remedies PVT Limited, and titled, ‘Notice of blacklisting as a manufacturer of substandard and falsified medicines’, the director general of NAFDAC reiterated the agency’s position of zero tolerance for substandard and falsified medicines preponderance in Nigeria in fulfillment of the regulatory obligation of safeguarding the health of the nation.”

Adeyeye added that the variation in the formulation of the ciprofloxacin 500mg tablets, which may impact on the quality and shelf-life, was not approved by NAFDAC before the changes were made.