By Esi-ife Arogundade
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised the alarms about the circulation of counterfeit Oxycontin 80mg (oxycodone hydrochloride) detected in unregulated markets in Switzerland.
The public alert, labeled No. 07/2025, was released on NAFDAC’s website on Thursday, March 20, 2025, urging immediate attention from both healthcare professionals and the public.
The agency reported that the issue of falsified Oxycontin was brought to the attention of the World Health Organization (WHO) by the genuine manufacturer, MUNDIPHARMA, in February.
The fake product closely mimics the legitimate Oxycontin 80mg authorized for sale in Poland.
Laboratory tests conducted by the Drug Information Centre in Zurich revealed that the counterfeit tablets contained a synthetic opioid likely to be a nitazene compound, rather than oxycodone.
NAFDAC has highlighted the dangers associated with nitazene derivatives—potent synthetic opioids that pose severe risks due to their high addiction potential and grave side effects.
These compounds may be hundreds of times stronger than oxycodone, significantly increasing the risk of overdose. Unfortunately, limited information exists regarding their toxicity and long-term health effects.
The alert emphasizes that the counterfeit Oxycontin not only misrepresents its identity but also contains undeclared nitazene compounds.
Health officials warn that taking these potent substances, especially in small doses, can lead to adverse events and has been linked to several fatalities.
The risks are compounded when combined with other depressants, such as alcohol or benzodiazepines, creating a dangerous cocktail that can lead to respiratory depression, low blood pressure, and potential coma or death.
In response to this alarming situation, NAFDAC is conducting surveillance and has instructed zonal directors and state coordinators to retrieve any falsified products discovered within Nigeria.
The agency is calling on importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and consumers to exercise heightened vigilance to avoid the importation, distribution, and use of these falsified Oxycontin tablets.
Additionally, NAFDAC has urged the public to purchase medical products exclusively from authorized suppliers, ensuring the authenticity and physical condition of these products are thoroughly checked.
Reports of any suspected counterfeit medicines should be directed to the nearest NAFDAC office or communicated via phone or email.
Healthcare professionals and consumers are also encouraged to utilize NAFDAC’s E-reporting platforms available on their website or the Med-safety application, which is downloadable on Android and iOS devices, to report adverse effects linked to medicinal products.
NAFDAC has assured citizens that they will monitor the situation closely, as they remain committed to safeguarding public health, by ensuring that authenticity and safety of medications are available in the market.
