NAFDAC warns against fake pain medicine, Oxycontin, in circulation

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a stark warning about the circulation of falsified Oxycontin 80mg (oxycodone hydrochloride) tablets, recently detected in an unregulated market in Switzerland.

The agency’s alert, released on Thursday, reveals the potential dangers posed by the counterfeit medication, which does not contain the active opioid ingredient but instead includes a highly potent synthetic substitute.

According to NAFDAC, the falsified tablets, bearing batch number 262174, were first flagged by the legitimate manufacturer, Mundipharma, in February 2025 and subsequently reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). The counterfeit drugs are designed to mimic the authentic version authorized for sale in Poland, a prescription medication used to manage moderate to severe pain.

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However, laboratory tests revealed a shocking discovery: instead of oxycodone, the fake tablets contain a synthetic opioid likely to be a nitazene compound, a class of drugs significantly more potent than oxycodone and associated with a high risk of overdose.

“These substances can be hundreds of times stronger than oxycodone, posing a serious threat to public health,” NAFDAC stated in its alert. “Limited information is available on their risks, toxicity, side effects, and long-term consequences.”

The agency further warned that the counterfeit medication was deliberately designed to mislead consumers, falsely presenting its identity, composition, and source. Visible discrepancies, including the incorrect placement of batch and expiry dates, were noted on the falsified product packaging.

In response, NAFDAC has directed its zonal directors and state coordinators to intensify surveillance efforts and remove any falsified Oxycontin tablets found in Nigerian markets. The agency also urged importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and consumers to exercise extreme caution when handling pharmaceutical products.

NAFDAC encouraged members of the public to report any suspicious medicines or adverse effects related to drug consumption, reinforcing the critical role of vigilance in preventing the spread of dangerous counterfeit pharmaceuticals.

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