NAFDAC raises the alarm over substandard insulin syringes

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against the illegal circulation and marketing of a substandard and falsified medical product, the Knowit Insulin Syringe 40 IU 29G x 1/2, in Nigeria.

The warning comes in response to concerns raised by the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria about the ongoing use of outdated 40 IU/ML insulin syringes, despite the availability of the standardized 100 IU/ML syringes.

The alarm was contained in a statement on the Agency’s X handle on Monday, March 03.

The statement reads: “NAFDAC alerts the public of the illegal circulation and marketing of a substandard and falsified Knowit Insulin Syringe 40 IU 29g X 1/2 in Nigeria.

“The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) raised concern regarding the ongoing use of 40 IU/ML insulin syringes despite the availability of 100 IU/ML insulin syringes.

“The 40iu/ml Insulin syringe was previously approved alongside the 100iu/ml for administering Lente animal insulins because of its presentation in both strengths.

“However, the discontinuaton of animal insulins and the advent of human insulins whose strengths are streamlined to 100 iu/ml, the 40iu/ml insulin syringe is no longer applicable and not registered anymore by NAFDAC as it could cause dosing errors with serious adverse consequences on diabetic patients using them.

“Note that the NAFDAC Reg Number is falsified as the product license expired in 2019.

“Healthcare professionals and consumers are advised to report any suspicion of the sale of this product to the nearest NAFDAC office, call 0800-162-3322 or send an email to sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng”