The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public warning over the circulation of a suspected substandard and falsified antibiotic, BETACLOX (Ampicillin 250mg and Cloxacillin 250mg), detected within Nigeria’s drug supply chain.
According to a statement from the agency, the product contains fraudulent registration details and originates from an unverified source, posing a serious threat to public health.
The alert follows a report from a retail outlet in Zaria, Kaduna State, which identified the suspicious product after purchasing it from a distributor in Kano. Investigations revealed that the NAFDAC Registration Number (A4-4724) displayed on the package actually belongs to Mebendazole 500mg manufactured by Chi Ltd., indicating deliberate misappropriation of registration numbers.
The fake BETACLOX, allegedly imported by Freeview Pharmaceutical Ltd., lists its address as No. 128 MCC Road, Calabar, Cross River State. Verification by NAFDAC confirmed the genuine company’s registered address is No. 101 MCC Road, Calabar, further exposing the falsification.
Falsified product details:
- Product Name: BETACLOX (Ampicillin 250mg and Cloxacillin 250mg)
- Batch No.: 230701
- Manufacturer: Saeny Laboratory Pvt. Ltd., Kerala, India
- Manufacturing Date: 07/2023
- Expiry Date: 07/2026
- Fake NAFDAC Reg. No.: A4-4724
NAFDAC has directed all zonal directors and state coordinators to intensify surveillance and remove the falsified product from circulation nationwide. Distributors, pharmacists, and healthcare providers are urged to source medicines only from authorized suppliers and verify packaging authenticity.
Public Alert No. 37/2025.
— NAFDAC NIGERIA (@NafdacAgency) November 10, 2025
Alert on the Report of Substandard and Falsified (SF) BETACLOX found in Nigeria#NafdacALERTShttps://t.co/jeUBRGyVjd pic.twitter.com/ILyPb34uI4
Members of the public are advised to report suspicious products to the nearest NAFDAC office or via the agency’s toll-free line.
