NAFDAC Warns Nigerians Against Fake Forxiga Drugs

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted Nigerians over the circulation of suspected counterfeit Forxiga (dapagliflozin) medicines in the country, warning that the products could pose serious health risks.

The agency disclosed this in Public Alert No. 036/2026 posted on its X handle on Thursday, saying the suspected fake products were discovered through market surveillance carried out by pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca.

According to NAFDAC, AstraZeneca alerted the agency after identifying products with names similar to Forxiga® and packaging designed to imitate the company’s brand identity and logo.

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Genuine Forxiga® (dapagliflozin) is used in managing Type 2 diabetes, reducing the risk of cardiovascular deaths and hospitalisations among heart failure patients, and slowing the progression of chronic kidney disease.

NAFDAC warned that counterfeit medicines could contain wrong ingredients, incorrect dosage strength, harmful substances or may completely lack the active ingredient stated on the label.

“Counterfeit medicines may contain incorrect ingredients, the wrong dosage strength, harmful contaminants, or may not contain the stated active ingredient. Use of such products may result in treatment failure, worsening of the underlying medical condition, adverse health consequences, or other serious risks to patient safety,” the agency said.

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The suspected counterfeit products were reportedly detected in Eastern Nigeria.

One of the products, Forzigar, carries batch number ATE-262, with a manufacturing date of March 2025 and an expiry date of February 2028, while listing Alliaance Biotech as the manufacturer.

The second product, Foziga, bears batch number GIB405-, with a manufacturing date of June 2024 and an expiry date of May 2027, and lists Medico Remedies Ltd as the manufacturer.

NAFDAC said the genuine product is marketed as Forxiga® (dapagliflozin), a film-coated tablet manufactured by AstraZeneca.

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The agency added that it has commenced investigations into the source and distribution of the suspected counterfeit medicines, directing its zonal directors and state coordinators to carry out surveillance and remove any fake products found in circulation.

NAFDAC advised Nigerians to purchase medicines only from licensed pharmacies and authorised distributors, while urging consumers and healthcare professionals to report suspected substandard or falsified medicines to the agency.

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