The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has issued an alert to healthcare providers and the general public regarding a nationwide mop-up of products manufactured by EUROPHARM Laboratories in Jos.

The agency announced on its X handle on Friday that it initiated enforcement action against Europharm Laboratories, also known as Eurolink Nigeria Ltd., located at Plot Pl., 7354, Anglo Jos, New Ind. Area. This action followed “credible intelligence and regulatory surveillance.”

Investigations carried out by the agency revealed that the company “had been producing, selling, and distributing multiple pharmaceutical and other regulated products without the necessary marketing authorisation.”

According to NAFDAC, several products were discovered at the facility during the investigation, “many of which were being produced or distributed in violation of its regulations.”

The agency further noted that laboratory analysis of some of the discovered products “further confirmed significant quality failures, raising serious public health concerns.”

NAFDAC revealed that the results of the analysis specifically showed low Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients content for two major products: Linmoxyn (Amoxicillin) suspension and Linmoxyn (Amoxicillin 500mg capsules). The agency stated that Linmoxyn (Amoxicillin suspension) “failed analysis, with API content of 13.9% and 18.4%, which are far below acceptable limits.” Linmoxyn (Amoxicillin 500mg capsules) also “failed, with API content of only 48.3%, confirming it to be grossly substandard.”

The agency identified that other products bearing various NAFDAC Registration Numbers were also found at the Europharm Laboratories site during the investigation.

NAFDAC explained that the risk associated with low API in medicines includes “treatment failure, antimicrobial resistance, and potential safety concerns to consumers.”

The substandard products identified include Linocloxin (Ampicillin 125mg & Cloxacillin 125mg) powder for oral suspension 100ml, Linromycine (Erythromycin) powder for suspension 100ml, Linocillin (Ampicillin) powder for oral suspension 50\text{ml}, and Linmoxyn (Amoxicillin 125mg) suspension 60ml.

Other products listed are Eurogyl (Metronidazole suspension) 50ml, Naflin (Cough Expectorant) 100ml, Natacid (Magnesium Trisilicate suspension) 100ml, Navit-B Syrup (Vitamin B Complex) 100ml, Fountain B-12 (Blood Tonic) 100ml and 200ml.

The list also included Vitamin-C Syrup 100\text{ml}, Eurogyl (Metronidazole) Tablet blister 10\times 10 tabs, Eurogyl (Metronidazole) x1000 tablets, Euramol (Paracetamol) x1000 tablets, Euramox (Mebendazole 100mg) tablets, Linotrim (Cotrimoxazole suspension) 50ml, and Linoquine (Chloroquine Phosphate syrup 80mg/5ml) 60ml.

NAFDAC has directed all zonal directors and state coordinators to “carry out surveillance and mop up substandard products within their zones and states.”

The agency urged all distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers to “exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to prevent the distribution, sale, and use of substandard products.”

NAFDAC also advised healthcare professionals and consumers to “report any suspicion of the sale of substandard and falsified medicines or medical devices to the nearest NAFDAC office.”