NAFDAC warns of Fake Herceptin 600mg circulating in Lagos; public and healthcare workers urged to check authenticity and avoid counterfeit products

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has raised the alarm over the circulation of a counterfeit batch of Herceptin 600 mg in Nigeria. The alert, announced on Thursday, follows confirmation from Roche Nigeria of a fake batch with number A8519B34 in Lagos State.

Herceptin, also known as trastuzumab, is a prescription medication used to treat certain types of breast and stomach cancer.

Also read: Senate orders NAFDAC to end Sachet Alcohol production by December 31, 2025

It is administered through injection or infusion, often alongside chemotherapy, and works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.

NAFDAC said the issue was reported after a customer purchased the suspected counterfeit product from a pharmacist in Lagos at a significantly lower price of N50,000, well below the standard market rate.

Comparisons by Roche Nigeria revealed discrepancies in packaging, including incorrect artwork, expiry date, and 2D matrix code.

“The lot tracing is not possible because the batch number A8519B34 is not a genuine Roche batch number for Herceptin,” NAFDAC stated.

The agency warned that counterfeit cancer drugs can lead to treatment failure, disease progression, serious adverse events, or death.

The fake product is labelled as Herceptin 600 mg, with the manufacturer listed as F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Kaiseraugst, Switzerland, and bears a manufacturing date of January 2024 and expiry date of November 2026. NAFDAC confirmed that genuine Herceptin 600 mg is produced in Basel, Switzerland, at the Kaiseraugst site.

NAFDAC has directed its zonal directors and state coordinators to intensify surveillance and remove the counterfeit product from circulation.

Importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers were urged to exercise caution and ensure all medicines are obtained from licensed suppliers.

Also read: NAFDAC Enforces Sachet Alcohol Ban to Protect Nigerian Youth

The agency also encouraged the public to report suspected counterfeit products or adverse drug reactions through its official offices and e-reporting platforms. The alert will additionally be shared on the World Health Organization’s Global Surveillance and Monitoring System to strengthen global oversight.