National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted Nigerians to the circulation of suspected counterfeit versions of Forxiga (dapagliflozin), a prescription medicine used in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes and other conditions.
The agency warned that the use of the suspected falsified medicines could result in treatment failure and pose serious risks to patients.
NAFDAC issued the warning in Public Alert No. 036/2026 published on Thursday, Aug. 6.
The agency said the suspected counterfeit products were discovered in the Nigerian market following surveillance activities by AstraZeneca, the manufacturer of the genuine Forxiga medicine.
According to NAFDAC, AstraZeneca notified the agency after identifying products bearing names similar to Forxiga and packaging that appeared to imitate the company’s brand identity and logo.
The regulator said genuine Forxiga (dapagliflozin) is a prescription medicine used to improve blood sugar control in people living with Type 2 diabetes.
It is also used to reduce cardiovascular deaths and hospitalisations among patients with heart failure and to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease.
NAFDAC warned that counterfeit medicines could contain incorrect ingredients, wrong dosage strengths, harmful contaminants or no active pharmaceutical ingredient.
“Counterfeit medicines may contain incorrect ingredients, the wrong dosage strength, harmful contaminants, or may not contain the stated active ingredient,” the agency said.
It added that the use of such products could result in treatment failure, worsening of underlying medical conditions, adverse health consequences or other serious risks to patient safety.
NAFDAC said the suspected counterfeit products had been identified in Eastern Nigeria.
One of the products, identified as Forzigar, bears batch number ATE-262, with a manufacturing date of March 2025 and an expiry date of February 2028.
The product lists Alliaance Biotech as its manufacturer.
The second suspected counterfeit product, Foziga, bears batch number GIB405-, with a manufacturing date of June 2024 and an expiry date of May 2027.
It lists Medico Remedies Ltd as the manufacturer.
The agency stressed that the genuine product is marketed as Forxiga (dapagliflozin), a film-coated tablet manufactured by AstraZeneca.
NAFDAC said it had commenced investigations into the source and distribution channels of the suspected counterfeit medicines.
It added that its zonal directors and state coordinators had been directed to conduct surveillance and mop-up operations to identify and remove suspected counterfeit products from circulation.
“NAFDAC is investigating the distribution and source of the suspected counterfeit products. All zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to conduct surveillance and mop-up activities to identify and remove any counterfeit product from circulation in Nigeria,” the agency said.
The regulator advised consumers and healthcare professionals to purchase medicines only from licensed pharmacies and authorised distributors.
It also urged Nigerians to carefully examine medicine labels and packaging before purchasing or using any medication.
NAFDAC encouraged members of the public to report suspected substandard or falsified medicines through its offices nationwide, dedicated telephone lines, email channels or online adverse-event reporting platforms.
