The WHO defines counterfeit drugs as those deliberately mislabeled to deceive consumers about their identity or origin, affecting both branded and generic products. Other types of illicit drugs include substandard drugs, which are authorized but fail to meet quality standards, and unregistered/unlicensed drugs, which lack approval from health authorities. Counterfeit drugs are often hard to detect, resembling genuine products, and may circulate through both legitimate and illegitimate distributors. They pose severe public health risks, potentially leading to untreated illnesses, serious health effects, poisoning, or death. Suspected counterfeit drugs should be reported to health authorities or law enforcement.

The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHDA) previoisly reported that over 70% of medicines dispensed in Nigeria are substandard, highlighting limited access to quality healthcare. Supporting this, the Nigeria Customs Service, alongside agencies like the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and NAFDAC, continue to destroy containers of substandard drugs entering the country. These substandard drugs have serious health implications, causing issues like loss of sight, hearing defects, and kidney and liver damage, which continue to affect many Nigerians

Nigeria has become the largest counterfeit drug market in the developing world according to Bloomberg, leading to thousands of deaths each year due to fake drugs, with around 120,000 Africans dying annually from this issue. Fake drug peddlers operate widely, often disguising their products, while uncertified street chemists commonly sell medications. Most counterfeit drugs in Nigeria are reportedly imported from countries like India, China, Pakistan, Egypt, and Indonesia. Recent exits of pharma giants GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Sanofi from the Nigerian market have further limited access to legitimate medications, causing prices to surge and increasing demand for counterfeit alternatives, such as asthma inhalers, in a country with 10 million asthma sufferers.
Consumers, however, can take practical steps to minimize their exposure to fake drugs. Here’s a guide on how to detect fake drugs in Nigeria, with an emphasis on essential steps that individuals, families, and communities can use to protect themselves.

1. Verify Packaging and Labeling
The first step in detecting counterfeit drugs is to scrutinize the packaging. Counterfeit drugs often exhibit signs of poor quality in their packaging:
• Check for Spelling Errors: Any spelling mistakes, incorrect grammar, or blurry text are immediate red flags. Authentic drugs are produced with high standards, and errors in labeling can indicate that the drug is a counterfeit.
• Inspect the Seal and Expiry Date: Genuine medicines will have a proper seal. Counterfeit packaging may lack this or have seals that look tampered with. Also, check for an expiry date that’s clear and intact—counterfeit products often don’t display one or may show dates that look suspiciously altered.
• Look for Holograms and Barcodes: Many manufacturers now include holograms, QR codes, or unique barcodes that can be scanned for verification. Always verify these details with the pharmacy or check online if the brand provides a portal for code verification.

2. Use Mobile Authentication Services (MAS)
Mobile Authentication Services (MAS) have revolutionized drug verification in Nigeria. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and several pharmaceutical companies have adopted SMS-based verification:
• Locate the MAS Code: Many legitimate drugs sold in Nigeria now have an MAS code or scratch panel on the packaging. Once scratched, the panel reveals a unique code.
• Send the Code via SMS: Send this code to the number provided (usually shortcodes specific to each brand or regulatory authority). Within moments, you should receive a message confirming if the product is authentic or fake.
• Check Alternative Apps: Some companies also support mobile apps that allow you to verify a drug's authenticity through QR codes or unique serial numbers. Ensure your phone has internet connectivity if using these apps.

3. Only Purchase from Certified Pharmacies
While this may seem straightforward, a large number of consumers in Nigeria buy medications from uncertified sellers or roadside vendors:
• Check for Certification: Always purchase drugs from registered pharmacies or well-established drug stores. These certified outlets undergo regular inspection and are more likely to stock genuine drugs. Avoid purchasing from unverified vendors, even if their prices seem more affordable.
• Look for the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) Certification: Certified pharmacies display a PCN certification prominently, indicating that the outlet is registered with the council. Checking for this certification is an easy but effective way to ensure that you are buying from a trusted source.

4. Be Wary of Extremely Low Prices
If a drug is priced significantly lower than the average market price, it is essential to be cautious:
• Compare Prices: Counterfeit drugs are often sold at a fraction of the price of authentic medications. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Compare prices across several pharmacies if you’re unsure.
• Question Suspicious Discounts: Some vendors may offer large discounts or promotional offers to sell fake drugs quickly. Always ask for reasons behind unusually low prices, especially if it’s not part of a brand-authorized promotion.

5. Examine the Drug’s Physical Appearance
Counterfeit drugs are not only packaged poorly; they often have visual or physical inconsistencies:
• Observe Shape, Color, and Texture: A genuine drug will have a consistent appearance each time you buy it. Any deviation in color, shape, or texture can indicate a counterfeit. For instance, faded colors, broken pills, or unusual spots on tablets can be a sign of poor manufacturing standards.
• Check for Unusual Smells or Tastes: Certain drugs, especially tablets and syrups, may have a distinctive taste or smell. If you notice a strange odor or an unusual taste that wasn’t present in previous purchases of the same medication, be cautious and report it to the pharmacy.

6. Watch for Unusual Reactions
If you experience any unusual side effects or a lack of improvement in your condition, consider the possibility that the drug may be counterfeit:
• Monitor Side Effects: Common symptoms after taking a counterfeit drug can include nausea, dizziness, headaches, or worsening of the initial condition. These effects can vary but are usually distinct from typical side effects of authentic drugs.
• Consult a Healthcare Professional: If you suspect an unusual reaction, consult a healthcare provider immediately. A professional assessment can help identify whether the drug is genuine or counterfeit and provide guidance on next steps.

7. Leverage NAFDAC’s Track-and-Trace Technology
NAFDAC, the regulatory health body overseeing drug quality in Nigeria, has invested in track-and-trace systems:
• Use NAFDAC’s Drug Authentication Service (DAS): This service involves the use of track-and-trace labels or codes on drug packaging, allowing consumers to verify authenticity.
• Report Suspicious Products to NAFDAC: If you come across a product that seems counterfeit, report it to NAFDAC. Their contact numbers, website, and email are accessible, and they encourage public reporting to help monitor and regulate the market. All Complaints or conflicts should be forwarded through the following address; nafdac@nafdac.gov.ng, complaints@nafdac.gov.ng, or the nearest NAFDAC state offices

8. Avoid Drugs from Unauthorized Online Sources
Online marketplaces can be a hotbed for counterfeit drugs, as peddlers take advantage of limited regulation and direct-to-consumer sales:
• Buy from Verified Online Pharmacies: If buying online, use verified e-pharmacies that are registered and authorized to operate by the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria.
• Check for Proper Contact Information: Legitimate online pharmacies will have verifiable contact information and a physical address. Avoid any website that does not provide this, as they may be selling counterfeit products.

9. Be Cautious with Imported Drugs
With a significant portion of Nigeria's counterfeit drugs coming from countries like India, China, and Pakistan, it is wise to be cautious when purchasing large quantities of imported drugs:
• Ask for Importation Details: Certified pharmacies should have records of drug importation, showing the source and legality of the products. This includes the import permit issued by NAFDAC.
• Confirm Batch Numbers and Registration: Registered imports will have specific batch numbers and registration with NAFDAC, so ask for these details, especially for high-value drugs like antibiotics or inhalers in high quantities for health facilities.

10. Educate Yourself and Raise Awareness
Ultimately, awareness is one of the most powerful tools in the fight against counterfeit drugs. Educating yourself and those around you can help prevent future risks:
• Stay Informed About Commonly Counterfeited Drugs: Certain drugs, like antimalarials, antibiotics, and pain relievers, are more frequently counterfeited. Knowing this can help you stay vigilant.
• Share Information with Family and Friends: The more people who know about counterfeit detection, the harder it becomes for counterfeiters to operate. Educating your community creates a ripple effect, fostering collective vigilance.

Conclusion
The proliferation of counterfeit drugs in Nigeria is a serious threat to public health, but with the right steps, individuals can protect themselves. From inspecting packaging to using mobile verification services, buying from certified pharmacies, and reporting suspicious drugs, every effort counts. By staying informed and vigilant, consumers can play an active role in safeguarding their health and helping combat the counterfeit drug market in Nigeria.

Source
https://www.publichealth.com.ng/how-to-detect-fake-drugs-in-nigeria-essential-steps-for-consumer-safety/

"The proliferation of counterfeit drugs in Nigeria is a serious threat to public health, but with the right steps, individuals can protect themselves. By staying informed and vigilant, consumers can play an active role in safeguarding their health and helping combat the counterfeit drug market in Nigeria."

Ok

Great Info.








My Siggy though.

Fascinating

Educative.
Thanks for the info.

It’s alarming how widespread the issue of counterfeit drugs has become in Nigeria, posing serious health risks to millions. The steps outlined here are essential for anyone hoping to avoid falling victim to fake medications. By being mindful of packaging details, using Mobile Authentication Services (MAS), and choosing certified pharmacies, individuals can protect themselves and their families from potentially harmful drugs.

A few key actions that stood out are the importance of checking prices (since counterfeit drugs are often priced much lower), observing the physical characteristics of medications, and, crucially, utilizing NAFDAC's track-and-trace technology. This technology, alongside public reporting, can significantly aid authorities in tracking down sources of fake drugs.

Raising awareness among family and friends also amplifies the fight against counterfeiters. This ripple effect of vigilance could help reduce the demand for and circulation of fake drugs, leading to a safer environment for everyone.

STOP buying in motor parks,garage,molue,hawkers.

Enter confam Pharmacy and do the needful

I buy EMZOR for my made in Nigeria drugs.

There are many fake vitamin C in the market

So people still produce fake drugs in Nigeria.
That's pure wickedness

we that buy drugs in sachets nko. . ho ee hobtakr verify nw.


nafdac/ndlea should be responsible for this not the masses ..


they should have a team that moves from outlets to outlets, shop to shop, pharmacy to pharmacy. request for a sample of each drugs they sell and verify its aunthencity .. Better still, educate each chemist, or whatever drug store is known on how to verify what they sell ..


Anyone store found with counterfeit medications should be fined or jailed.




if this way is no effective in curbing these fake products, make i hear wetin happen .

Fake drugs merchants are constantly evolving
Those basta....rds are everywhere and doing the most to outsmart the smartest.

Fake drugs kill faster than sickness itself.
Don't just go for cheap, go for quality because life is more important than saving unnecessary cost that can cost you your life.

Selling fake drugs is another level of evil that men do

Well done bro

All hands must be on deck to curb this menance

MaziObinnaokija:
STOP buying in motor parks,garage,molue,hawkers.

Enter confam Pharmacy and go the needful

if you dey remote area just forget na wetin you see you go buy,in some areas, to get to where a standard pharmacy is, you will need a tfare of 10k or more!

DeeScan:
we that buy drugs in sachets nko. . ho ee hobtakr verify nw.


nafdac/ndlea should be responsible for this not the masses ..


they should have a team that moves from outlets to outlets, shop to shop, pharmacy to pharmacy. request for a sample of each drugs they sell and verify its aunthencity .. Better still, educate each chemist, or whatever drug store is known on how to verify what they sell ..


Anyone store found with counterfeit medications should be fined or jailed.




if this way is no effective in curbing these fake products, make i hear wetin happen .

you forgot to mention counting ones

gentleguy1975:
if you dey remote area just forget na wetin you see you go buy,in some areas, to get to where a standard pharmacy is, you will need a tfare of 10k or more!

Those ones will use 🌿 🌿 🌿 Agbo mixture

MaziObinnaokija:
Those ones will use 🌿 🌿 🌿 Agbo mixture

nah,dey still get small small patent medicine store for there

How do I detect if the tramadol I'm getting is fake , e no dey work 🥴

Okay

Fake drug and corruption goes hand in hand , the former is made possible by the latter.

If the seller is the drugs are easterners or hebo. The drugs are fake. Do not ever buy from them. Simples.





.

gentleguy1975:
if you dey remote area just forget na wetin you see you go buy,in some areas, to get to where a standard pharmacy is, you will need a tfare of 10k or more!

Isn't that double jeopardy

And the evil people involved in producing and selling these drugs will also claim to be Smart people.

Ehnn. When we throw away Hardwork as people, we tend to face different calamities like this.

gentleguy1975:
you forgot to mention counting ones

I had included that when i said every sample...

If I am the minister of health with the power given unto me, anybody or industry caught producing fake anything will be urgently prosecuted

Powerful meaningful

Understand that's there are different classes of food and there are rules to combining different classes of food

There are rules to combining proteins and fat and oil food

Disregarding this rule is what makes man susceptible to sickness

Make you research and learn

Chisilasweb:
So people still produce fake drugs in Nigeria.
That's pure wickedness

95% of drugs sold in Nigeria are fake.....Don't ask me how I know .....if you are Nigeria, just do your findings ........
Especially in poor neighborhoods , rural areas, even in cities .....
Here in Lagos ....Those Chinedu pharmacy, Tunde Pharmacy and Osaro pharmacy in so many neighborhoods na fake drugs most of them dey sell.....
You see those paracetamol etc people buy from Mallam selling in the hood , na fake drugs or expired drugs , which they have cleaned the date and put a new date .....
Some pharmacies in high brow area , have started mixing their stocks with fake drugs.....But they are always very careful.....