The National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control is concerned about the spread of bogus Covid-19 Antigen rapid test kits (NAFDAC).
The anti-drug organization raised the alarm in a NAFDAC public advisory sent to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.
The organization asserts that Health Canada warned NAFDAC about the phony COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits made by BTNX Incorporated. NAFDAC cited Health Canada as claiming that the phony test kits were sold online in cartons of 25 by a business called Healthful Plus without the required authorisation.
According to NAFDAC, the fake kits’ packaging uses the BTNX Incorporated logo and is designed to look like genuine BTNX Inc. items in terms of color and text. It was noted that although the device’s identifier is “COV-19C25,” there are a number of significant discrepancies, and that “Health Advance Inc.” rather than “BTNX Inc.” was listed as the manufacturer.
According to the government, Health Advance was listed as the “Official Canadian Distributor of the counterfeit products” on the box. It was emphasized that the items made the claim that they were approved by government agencies including Health Canada.
The agency recommended consumers, pharmacists, wholesalers, and distributors to make sure their items come from reputable and trustworthy sources. Additionally, it exhorted medical professionals to exercise greater caution throughout the supply chain to prevent the importation, distribution, sale, or utilization of fake COVID-19 fast antigen test kits.
It suggested that healthcare professionals avoid giving the product to unknowing individuals and added that the products’ veracity and physical condition should be thoroughly examined.
According to NAFDAC, anyone in possession of the fake product should stop selling or using it right now and turn it in to the agency office that is the closest to them.
NAFDAC recommended the general public to report adverse effects by emailing pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng, using the e-reporting platforms available at www.nafdac.gov.ng, or by downloading the Med-safety application. Additionally, it asked consumers and healthcare professionals to contact NAFDAC at 0800-162-3322 or via email at sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng to report suspected counterfeit health items.
