The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has Nigerians warned about fake COVID-19 antigen quick test kits that are now in circulation.
The announcement was made in a NAFDAC public notice sent to journalists on Sunday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that Health Canada informed NAFDAC about the fake COVID-19 fast antigen test kits made by BTNX Incorporated.
Health Canada was stated by NAFDAC as saying that the phony test kits were distributed online by a company called Healthful Plus in 25-pack cartons but lacked the necessary authorization.
According to NAFDAC, the fake kits’ packaging uses the BTNX Incorporated logo and is designed to look like genuine BTNX Inc. items in terms of color and text.
The device identifier is “COV-19C25,” but there are a few significant variations, according to the report, and it was made by “Health Advance Inc.” rather than BTNX Inc.
According to NAFDAC, the packaging for the fake goods listed Health Advance as the “Official Canadian Distributor.”
It was brought out that the goods claimed to be approved by government agencies including Health Canada.
NAFDAC said; “Genuine COVID-19 Antigen test kit helps detect certain proteins in the virus. Rapid antigen tests are designed to tell in a few minutes whether someone is infected or not.
“It is recommended as a high performing test for individuals with symptoms, high-risk populations and healthcare or casual workers.
“Counterfeit health products are imitations of authentic products. The safety and effectiveness of these counterfeit test kits have not been assessed.
“The genuine manufacturer BTNX Inc. has confirmed that the devices were counterfeit.”
The agency recommended consumers, pharmacists, wholesalers, and distributors to make sure their items come from reputable and trustworthy sources.
Additionally, it urged medical professionals to be more watchful of the supply chain to prevent the importation, distribution, sale, or use of COVID-19 fast antigen test kits that are fake.
It suggested that healthcare professionals avoid giving the product to unknowing individuals and added that the products’ veracity and physical condition should be thoroughly examined.
According to NAFDAC, anyone in possession of the fake product should stop selling or using it right now and turn it in to the agency office that is the closest to them.
Healthcare professionals and consumers are encouraged to contact NAFDAC at 0800-162-3322 or sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng to report suspected counterfeit health products.
Additionally, NAFDAC encouraged the public to report side effects through the e-reporting platforms at www.nafdac.gov.ng, the downloadable med-safety application, and pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng.
