The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a warning about a counterfeit batch of the cancer drug Herceptin 600 mg (trastuzumab) circulating in Nigeria.
Herceptin is a prescription medication used to treat certain types of breast and stomach cancers by slowing the growth of cancer cells. However, NAFDAC cautioned that fake oncology drugs may contain little or no active ingredients, harmful substances, or incorrect dosages—posing serious risks such as treatment failure, worsening illness, severe side effects, or even death.
The alert followed a report from Roche Nigeria, the authorized distributor, after a customer raised concerns about a suspicious batch (A8519B34) found in Lagos. The product was allegedly offered at a significantly reduced price of ₦50,000, prompting further investigation. A comparison between the suspected products with the original revealed clear differences in packaging, confirming it as counterfeit.
NAFDAC clarified that authentic Herceptin 600 mg is produced by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd in Switzerland. The agency has since directed its officials nationwide to track and remove the fake product from circulation.
It also urged importers, distributors, healthcare providers, and consumers to remain vigilant and avoid handling or using unverified medicines within the supply chain.
