NAFDAC Recalls Substandard Antibiotics Over Safety Concerns

By Inemesit Friday 

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has directed the immediate recall of some batches of locally produced antibiotics found to be substandard.

The affected products are Astamocil Amoxicillin Suspension 125mg per 5ml, Batch Number 826024, and Astamentin Amoxicillin and Clavulanic Acid Suspension, Batch Numbers 0503024 and 0501724. Both medicines are manufactured by Sam Ace Limited in Nigeria.

In a statement posted on its official X handle, NAFDAC explained that recent surveillance and laboratory analysis showed that the affected batches failed quality tests due to low levels of active pharmaceutical ingredients. The agency warned that the medicines may not provide the required therapeutic effect, thereby posing risks to public health.

The recalled antibiotics are commonly prescribed for the treatment of bacterial infections including pneumonia, sinusitis, ear infections and urinary tract infections.

NAFDAC urged health professionals, distributors and members of the public to stop the sale or use of the affected products and report any discovery of the recalled batches to the nearest NAFDAC office or via email at sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.

The agency assured that it is working with relevant stakeholders to remove the products from circulation in order to protect consumers.