Nigeria’s drug regulatory agency has issued a public alert over a suspected counterfeit asthma medication that could pose serious health risks to patients. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) announced the warning following the discovery of a fake version of a commonly prescribed inhaler.
The product in question is labeled “Ulmicort 0.5 mg/ml Inhalation Suspension,” which closely mimics AstraZeneca’s genuine asthma drug, Pulmicort® (Budesonide). According to NAFDAC, the counterfeit was uncovered during routine market surveillance conducted by AstraZeneca. The agency warns that the imitation is so convincing that both patients and healthcare professionals could easily mistake it for the authentic medication.
What Makes the Counterfeit Dangerous
Pulmicort is widely used to help asthma patients control their symptoms and prevent attacks. However, NAFDAC stated that the suspected fake may not contain the correct active ingredients—or any active ingredient at all. In some cases, counterfeit medicines can include harmful substances or incorrect dosages, rendering them ineffective or even dangerous for individuals relying on them to manage respiratory conditions.
Product Details and Origin
The agency identified the counterfeit product with the following details:
- Product name: Ulmicort 0.5 mg/ml Inhalation Suspension
- Batch number: 25770416E
- Manufacturing date: June 2025
- Expiry date: May 2027
- Labeled manufacturer: Legency Remedies PVT Ltd, India
NAFDAC traced the product to a distributor in Awada, Obosi North, Anambra State. The agency has launched an investigation into how the counterfeit entered the Nigerian market and has directed its officials nationwide to search for and remove any suspected fake packs from circulation.
Advice for Consumers and Healthcare Professionals
NAFDAC is urging the public to purchase medicines only from licensed pharmacies and authorized distributors. Consumers should also carefully inspect product packaging before use. The agency encourages healthcare professionals and the public to report any suspected counterfeit medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office or through its dedicated reporting channels.
For patients using inhaled asthma medication, NAFDAC advises that any unusual reaction or doubts about a product’s authenticity should be reported immediately, and medical advice should be sought without delay.
