NAFDAC alerts public on fake cholera vaccine

NAFDAC alerts public on fake cholera vaccine

- Nigerians have been alerted on the existence of fake Dukoral Oral Cholera vaccine circulating in Bangladesh

- According to Moji Adeyeye, director-general of NAFDAC, packaging of the falsified Dukoral vaccine displays texts in English and French language

- Adeyeye said the WHO has quarantined some quantities of the falsified vaccine

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted the public, especially healthcare providers, on the existence of fake Dukoral Oral Cholera vaccine circulating in Bangladesh.

According to a statement by Moji Adeyeye, the director-general of NAFDAC, packaging of the falsified Dukoral vaccine displays texts in English and French language.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adeyeye said the World Health Organisation (WHO) had quarantined some quantities of the falsified vaccine.

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She said: “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.

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

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

Adeyeye warned: “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.”

She added that surveillance had been strengthened by NAFDAC at all ports of entry to prevent illegal importation of the falsified Dukoral Oral Cholera vaccine from Bangladesh.

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She said: “NAFDAC has also heightened surveillance to prevent distribution and sale of the falsified vaccine.

“Health care providers and other members of the public are advised to be vigilant and contact the nearest NAFDAC office with any information on the falsified Dukoral vaccine. Anybody in possession of the falsified vaccine should submit it to the nearest NAFDAC office.”

Adeyeye further urged consumers to report any adverse event related to the use of vaccines to the nearest NAFDAC office via – NAFDAC PRASCOR 20543 (toll free from all Network ) or via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng

Legit.ng previously reported that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control intercepted 6.4 billion tablets of tramadol with an estimated street value of about N193.38 billion on an average cost of N1.5 million per carton in the last one year.

The disclosure was made at the weekend by the director general of the agency, Professor Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, who also said the agency destroyed 25 containers of tramadol valued at N1.7 billion.

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Khadijah Thabit (Copyeditor) Khadijah Thabit is an editor with over 3 years of experience editing and managing contents such as articles, blogs, newsletters and social leads. She has a BA in English and Literary Studies from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Khadijah joined Legit.ng in September 2020 as a copyeditor and proofreader for the Human Interest, Current Affairs, Business, Sports and PR desks. As a grammar police, she develops her skills by reading novels and dictionaries. Email: khadeeejathabit@gmail.com