The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted Nigerians to the circulation of a suspected counterfeit asthma medicine, warning that its use could lead to treatment failure and other serious health risks.

The agency made this known on Friday in a public alert shared on its official X account, saying the suspected falsified product, Ulmicort 0.5 mg/ml Inhalation Suspension, was detected during market surveillance conducted by pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca.

According to NAFDAC, AstraZeneca informed the agency that the product closely resembles its registered asthma medicine, Pulmicort (Budesonide) Nebulising Suspension, and could mislead healthcare professionals and patients.

Pulmicort is an inhaled corticosteroid prescribed to prevent asthma symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath, and is used as a maintenance treatment for people living with asthma.

Health risks