BACKGROUND
This drug alert concerns three separate falsified antimalarial medicines discovered in Cameroon, Ghana, and Liberia.
None of the medicines were manufactured by the companies named on the labels. Two of the medicines contain less than 2% of the active pharmaceutical ingredient and analysis is awaited concerning the third.
- All three products are contained in tubs of 1000 tablets designed for hospitals and clinics.
- The labelling on all three products is in English and French and contains spelling mistakes.
They also show a previous WHO Essential Drugs Programme logo (no longer in use by WHO).
Details and photographs of the products are available here.
All of these products have been intentionally falsified and are circulating within the formal and informal supply chains. National regulatory authorities are requested to increase vigilance within the supply chains for these specific batches. In addition, vigilance is requested for any medicines bearing the previous WHO Essential Drugs Programme logo (no longer in use by WHO). If discovered, steps should be taken to ensure that they meet full specifications.
If you have any information or discover any of these products or medicines bearing the previous WHO Essential Drugs Programme logo please, contact rapidalert@who.int.
Details and photographs of the products are available here.