The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert over the circulation of counterfeit Artemether/Lumefantrine tablets being sold under the brand name Aflotin 20/120 in Nigeria.
In a statement posted on its official Twitter handle, NAFDAC revealed that the fake product was reported by the original manufacturer, Ajanta Pharma Limited, based in Mumbai, India. The company identified that its genuine product, manufactured in December 2018 with batch number PA2128L and expiry date of November 2020, was being fraudulently repackaged and sold under a different brand.
Ajanta confirmed that the original batch was produced for Combisunate 20/120 (Artemether 20mg / Lumefantrine 120mg) in a 30 x 24 tablet pack. However, the counterfeit version is labeled as Aflotin 20/120 and appears in a 1 x 18 tablet pack—significantly differing in packaging and overprint style.
NAFDAC has verified the Aflotin 20/120mg tablets bearing Batch No. PA2128L in the Nigerian market as counterfeit. While Aflotin 20/120 is a legitimate antimalarial used to treat uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum, the fake version poses a serious public health risk.
“Counterfeit medicines compromise safety, quality, and efficacy, endangering the health of users,” the agency stated.
NAFDAC has directed all zonal directors and state coordinators to intensify surveillance efforts and remove the counterfeit products from circulation. Distributors, healthcare providers, retailers, and caregivers are being urged to remain vigilant and ensure all medicines are sourced through authorised and licensed suppliers.
The agency reiterated its commitment to protecting public health and encouraged anyone who encounters suspicious products to report them immediately.
