Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned that suspected falsified products imitating Forxiga (dapagliflozin) are circulating in the Nigerian market, following market surveillance by AstraZeneca.
Pharmacies, wholesalers and distributors should check stock for the two product names and batch numbers below and remove them from sale. Prescribers and pharmacists managing patients on dapagliflozin for type 2 diabetes, heart failure or chronic kidney disease should be alert to unexplained loss of glycaemic control or clinical deterioration in patients who may have obtained product outside the licensed chain, particularly in the east of the country. NAFDAC has directed all zonal directors and state coordinators to conduct surveillance and mop-up activities.
The two products identified are:
| Name on pack | Batch | Manufactured | Expiry | Manufacturer named on pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forzigar | ATE-262 | March 2025 | February 2028 | Alliaance Biotech |
| Foziga | GIB405- | June 2024 | May 2027 | Medico Remedies Ltd |
The companies named on the packaging appear as labelling claims. NAFDAC has not stated that either firm manufactured the products, and on falsified products a named manufacturer is typically the target of the impersonation rather than its source.
AstraZeneca notified the agency after identifying products with names closely resembling Forxiga and imitating the company’s brand identity and logo. The authentic product is a film-coated tablet marketed as Forxiga (dapagliflozin) and manufactured by AstraZeneca. It is indicated to improve blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes, reduce cardiovascular death and hospitalisation in heart failure, and slow progression of chronic kidney disease.
The agency said falsified medicines “may contain incorrect ingredients, the wrong dosage strength, harmful contaminants, or may not contain the stated active ingredient,” and that use “may result in treatment failure, worsening of the underlying medical condition, adverse health consequences, or other serious risks to patient safety.” NAFDAC uses the term counterfeit, reflecting Nigerian legislation; this report follows WHO usage.
NAFDAC said it has begun investigating the source and distribution of the products, and urged consumers and healthcare professionals to buy only from licensed pharmacies and authorised distributors and to examine labels and packaging before use.
Source: NAFDAC Public Alert No. 036/2026, “Alert on Suspected Counterfeit Products Mimicking Forxiga (Dapagliflozin)” — https://nafdac.gov.ng/public-alert-no-036-2026-alert-on-suspected-counterfeit-products-mimicking-forxiga-dapagliflozin/
