The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has alerted the public to the circulation of suspected counterfeit medicinal products mimicking Forxiga (dapagliflozin) in the Nigerian market, warning that their use could pose serious health risks.
NAFDAC said the suspected counterfeit products were detected in the Nigerian market following market surveillance by pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca.
This was disclosed in Public Alert No. 036/2026 posted on the agency’s X handle on Thursday.
According to the notice, AstraZeneca notified the agency after identifying products bearing names closely resembling Forxiga® and imitating the company’s brand identity and logo.
NAFDAC explained that genuine Forxiga® (dapagliflozin) is prescribed to improve blood sugar control in people with Type 2 diabetes, reduce cardiovascular deaths and hospitalisations in patients with heart failure, and slow the progression of chronic kidney disease.
The agency warned that counterfeit medicines pose serious health risks.
“Counterfeit medicines may contain incorrect ingredients, the wrong dosage strength, harmful contaminants, or may not contain the stated active ingredient.
“Use of such products may result in treatment failure, worsening of the underlying medical condition, adverse health consequences, or other serious risks to patient safety,” it stated.
NAFDAC said the products were detected in Eastern Nigeria.
According to the agency, the suspected counterfeit Forzigar bears batch number ATE-262, with a manufacturing date of March 2025 and an expiry date of February 2028, and lists Alliaance Biotech as the manufacturer.
The second counterfeit product, Foziga, bears batch number GIB405-, with a manufacturing date of June 2024 and an expiry date of May 2027, and lists Medico Remedies Ltd as the manufacturer.
NAFDAC said the authentic product is marketed as Forxiga® (dapagliflozin), a film-coated tablet manufactured by AstraZeneca.
