The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued an alert over the circulation of counterfeit Phesgo 600mg, a drug essential in breast cancer treatment
The agency’s public notice came after the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH-NSIA) reported patients presenting suspected fake Phesgo injections for administration. Complaints involved suspected counterfeit batches B2346B16 and C3809C5, according to the Marketing Authorization Holder, Roche.
NAFDAC stated that one vial from batch C3809C5 contained approximately 20mL instead of the expected 10mL. Only photos of the samples were sent to Roche, which conducted a review by comparing them with genuine retained products. The investigation identified several discrepancies, including:
- A batch number not found in Roche’s database
- Incorrect text and variable data
- GTIN not matching any genuine product
- Missing tamper-evidence labels
- Significant differences in packaging materials
The agency also confirmed that batch B2346B16 has been linked to counterfeit cases in multiple countries, including Nigeria, Turkey, and the Philippines.
Phesgo 600mg, containing Pertuzumab and Trastuzumab, is a critical therapy that works by targeting and inhibiting the growth of cancer cells in breast cancer patients.
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