Fake Cholera Drugs on Rise, Pose Global Threat – NAFDAC

Production and sale of counterfeit drugs is on the rise in rich and poor countries, with more unwary consumers buying them, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC warned.

NAFDAC Monday has alerted the public, especially healthcare providers, on the existence of fake Dukoral Oral Cholera vaccine, circulating in Bangladesh.

“We are raising this alert to health care providers and the society at large about the existence of falsified Dukoral Oral Cholera vaccine circulating in Bangladesh, said Prof. Moji Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC.

She revealed that falsified Dukoral vaccine displays texts in English and French language. Adeyeye said that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had quarantined some quantities of the falsified vaccine.

“The WHO Country Office and Health Authorities in Bangladesh have quarantined the 8,000 falsified packs of Dukoral Oral Cholera vaccine so far identified, she further stressed.

“The details of the falsified Dukoral Oral Cholera vaccines identified in Bangladesh are as follows – Product Name Dukoral Oral Cholera Vaccine/ Vaccin Oral contre le Cholera, Batch Number KV8262B1, Expiry Date 2020-04, Stated Manufacturer Valneva Canada Inc.

“Note that the logo of the manufacturer Crucell is also displayed,” she said.

The NAFDAC boss clarified that the manufacturer of genuine Dukoral Oral Cholera Vaccine was Valneva Sweden AB, formerly Crucell Sweden AB.

“Valneva Sweden AB, the manufacturer of genuine Dukoral Oral Cholera vaccine stated that the combination of the manufacturers, Valneva Canada Inc and Crucell should not exist on any packaging of the vaccine in the market.

“Dukoral Oral Cholera vaccine manufactured by Valneva Canada Inc is not registered by NAFDAC.

“All importers, wholesalers and retailers are implored to desist from illegal importation, distribution and sale of the falsified vaccine,” Adeyeye warned.

Fake or substandard versions of medicines are often hidden in cargos taking circuitous routes to mask their country of origin as part of criminal activity worth billions, Per Second News gathered.