The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert regarding the circulation of an unregistered drug known as Gold Vision Oxytocin injection 10IU, which carries a falsified registration number A4-9566.
In a statement shared on its official X account on Monday, the agency revealed that the product was allegedly produced by a Chinese pharmaceutical firm and distributed in Nigeria by a company based in Enugu. The counterfeit medicine was uncovered during a risk-based product sampling survey carried out by NAFDAC officials.
According to the agency, “The product is purportedly manufactured by Anhui Hongye Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., located at Fengyang East Road, Bengbu, Anhui Province, China, and marketed by Gold Vision Medicals, No. 4 Range Avenue, Independence Layout, Enugu, Nigeria.”
NAFDAC explained that further investigations exposed additional falsified injections that also carried the same fake registration number. These include A-tocin injection, Extocin Injection, and Claxitodin injection, all linked to the same company. The agency clarified that these drugs are not listed in its official database of registered products, confirming them as falsified.
The regulatory body issued a strong risk advisory, stressing that the use of fake or unregistered Oxytocin injections poses severe health threats, particularly to mothers and newborn babies. Such counterfeit drugs may contain wrong dosages, no active ingredients, or dangerous contaminants. This, NAFDAC cautioned, could result in ineffective uterine contractions, postpartum haemorrhage, and in worst cases, maternal death.
“Poor-quality oxytocin may also delay or fail to stop bleeding after childbirth, increasing the need for emergency interventions such as blood transfusions or surgery,” the agency added.
To curb the circulation of such dangerous products, NAFDAC urged both healthcare professionals and members of the public to remain watchful and promptly report any suspicious or substandard medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office.
The agency also noted that this development is part of a disturbing pattern of unregistered and counterfeit medicines finding their way into Nigeria’s open drug markets. Recently, NAFDAC had raised a similar alarm over the discovery of fake batches of Postinor-2, an emergency contraceptive pill containing levonorgestrel. Two counterfeit versions of the product were reported to be in circulation, with the agency warning that they posed serious health risks to unsuspecting users.
What You Should Know
NAFDAC’s recent warning highlights the growing challenge of counterfeit drugs in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical market.
Gold Vision Oxytocin and related falsified injections pose life-threatening risks to mothers and infants, underlining the need for vigilance among healthcare providers and the public.
The agency continues to battle against the spread of fake medicines, urging Nigerians to verify drug authenticity and report suspicious products to protect public health.
