This Medical Product Alert relates to the circulation of two confirmed falsified versions of Quinine Sulphate, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and containing zero active pharmaceutical ingredient.
Quinine Sulphate is used for the treatment of Falciparum Malaria in the region.
In April 2017, a local NGO discovered these products in pharmacies in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The products were submitted to laboratory testing with a WHO pre-qualified Quality Assurance laboratory. This analysis showed that the two products did not contain any of the stated active pharmaceutical ingredients.
The manufacturers indicated on the label of both products, Remedica and Laboratory&Allied, have stated that they did not manufacture these specific products: the variable details on the product label do not correspond to the genuine manufacturer records.
Details and photographs of both products are available here.
It is necessary to ensure that all medical products are obtained from authentic and reliable sources. Their authenticity and origin should be carefully checked and verified with manufacturers before use.
If you are in possession of these products, please do not use them. If you have taken this falsified product, or if you suffer an adverse event following its uptake, please seek immediate advice from a qualified healthcare professional, and report the incident to your local Ministry of Health/National Medicines Regulatory Authorities/National Pharmacovigilance Centre.
WHO requests increased vigilance within the supply chains of countries likely to be affected by these falsified products. Increased vigilance should include hospitals, clinics, health centres, pharmacies, and any other suppliers of medical products.
Health authorities are asked to immediately notify WHO if these falsified products are discovered in their country. If you have any information on their supply and/or distribution, please contact rapidalert@who.int
Product details and photographs are available here.