Public Alert No. 015/2026 – Alert on Confirmed Counterfeit of Avastin 400mg/ 16ml and Tecentriq 1200mg/20ml in Nigeria

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is notifying healthcare professionals and the public of confirmed counterfeit batches of Avastin® 400mg/16ml (Bevacizumab) and Tecentriq® 1200mg/20ml (Atezolizumab) circulating in Nigeria. This alert is issued in response to official communications from Roche Nigeria, which have confirmed several cases of counterfeit products in Nigeria.

The Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH) reported receiving complaints from healthcare professionals across Nigeria. In many instances, patients brought counterfeit products to healthcare facilities. These counterfeit items were reportedly sold at significantly lower prices, ranging from NGN 180,000 to NGN 350,000.

On investigation, the MAH (Roche Nigeria) compared the complaint samples to the genuine retained samples. The findings have provided clear evidence of counterfeit packaging material of the reported products.

The following differences were observed during investigation

1. Batch numbers do not correspond to genuine Roche batches.
2. Differences in artwork and printing quality.

• Wrong placement of text.

1. Incorrect variable data.
2. Tamper-evident labels inconsistent with genuine Roche products.
3. Serial numbers not corresponding to the genuine Roche serialisation system

Chemical analyses could not be conducted because the investigation depended on packaging photographs sent by the complainants; no physical samples were available for Roche to return.

AVASTIN (bevacizumab) is indicated for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma in adults. It is a tumour-starving (anti-angiogenic) therapy. 

TECENTRIQ (atezolizumab) is a prescription immunotherapy used to treat several advanced cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC), hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer), and melanoma.

Risk Statement

Counterfeit oncology medicines may contain incorrect or no active ingredients, harmful contaminants, or incorrect dosage strength. This may result in treatment failure, disease progression, serious adverse events, or death

Product details

The details of the counterfeit products are as follows:

Product picture

Counterfeit Avastin 400mg/16ml

Counterfeit Tecentriq 1200mg/20ml

All NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the counterfeit product within the zones and states.

Importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers are hereby advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and use of counterfeit products. All medical products must be obtained from authorized/licensed suppliers. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.

Healthcare professionals and consumers are advised to report any suspicion of the sale of substandard and falsified medicines or medical devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, call NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322, or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng

Similarly, healthcare professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of medicinal products or devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng, or via the Med- safety application available for download on Android and IOS stores, or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng

For complaints, you can call the Reforms Unit on the following lines: 09097630506, 09097630507, or email: reforms@nafdac.gov.ng

Furthermore, note that this notice will be uploaded to the WHO Global Surveillance and Monitoring System (GSMS).

NAFDAC………. Customer-focused, Agency-minded!!!