NAFDAC warns of counterfeit cancer drug PHESGO 600mg in Nigeria

Business, Crime Diary, Health

LAGOS, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 17, 2026 — The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert on confirmed counterfeit PHESGO 600mg with batch numbers B2346B16 and C3809C5.

In Public Alert No. 014/2026, the agency noted that Roche, the Marketing Authorisation Holder of the cancer drug, received complaints from Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH-NSIA) of suspected counterfeit Phesgo® 600mg. Batch C3809C5 was found to contain approximately 20mL instead of the expected 10mL. Both products were brought in by patients for administration.

NAFDAC stated: “Only pictures of the complaint samples were sent to Roche. Although a complete investigation was not possible, the pictures were scrutinised and compared to genuine retained samples.”

The investigation revealed major discrepancies confirming falsification, including:

• Non-existent batch number in Roche’s database
• Incorrect text and variable data
• GTIN mismatch
• Missing tamper-evidence label
• Significant packaging differences

Batch B2346B16 has been reported in four confirmed counterfeit complaints across Turkey, Nigeria, and the Philippines, all featuring the same fake batch number and false information.

Phesgo 600mg, used to treat breast cancer, works by killing cancer cells and preventing further growth. Genuine Phesgo 600mg/600mg is manufactured by F. Hoffman La Roche Limited, Wurmisweg, CH-4303, Kaiseraugst, Switzerland.