SWISS Pharma Nigeria Limited (Swipha), a major pharmaceutical company based in Lagos, has recalled all batches of Polyfort Suspension from the market due to a ‘negative trend.’
Polyfort Suspension is an antacid drug used for the treatment of heartburn and symptoms associated with dyspepsia and indigestion.
The company, in a statement signed by Superintendent Pharmacist/BDD Abbas Sambo, on Wednesday, May 3, announced that distribution of the drug has been stopped while all the products available in pharmacy shops are to be returned.
READ ALSO:
Why we banned Indomie’s ‘Special Chicken Flavour’ noodles — NAFDAC
Sugar-Sweetened Beverages: How NAFDAC’s weak regulations pose threats to consumers
NAFDAC destroys fake drugs worth N326m in Nasarawa
Nigeria ranks 1st in use of bleaching creams in Africa, NAFDAC declares health emergency
The development, according to the pharmaceutical company, is on account of the result of ongoing stability studies on batches LS222072, L.S222073, and LS222074 showing a negative trend.
Swipha did not provide specific details on the adverse effects the drug could have on the public.
Parts of the statement read: “Kindly be informed that we are initiating an immediate recall for all batches of Polyfort Suspension in stock.
“This is on account of the result of on-going stability studies on batches LS222072, L.S222073, and LS222074 showing a negative trend. We are currently carrying out further investigation on other batches, however, as we are mandated to inform you within 24 – 48 hours, we are unable to wait for the outcome of this investigation hence the decision to recall all batches of Polyfort in your custody.
“Further sales of Polyfort Suspension in your custody should be stopped, and inventory segregated immediately.”
The statement added: “Also contact customers to whom you sold Polyfort Suspension to return them back to you. All Polyfort stock (your stock and that of your customer) should be handed over to the Swipha Medical or Sales Representatives assigned to you.”
The company also said it will refund the marketers upon retrieval of the drugs.
“We expect that all the packs of the concerned product are made ready for retrieval by the 5′ of May 2023 and a corresponding credit note will be issued (covering your stock and that of your customer). The field force will inform you of developments as they evolve.”
The ICIR contacted the company on Wednesday, May 3, to find out the adverse effects of the recalled drug on users. A woman who simply identified herself as Ifedola picked the call and acknowledged that the drug has been recalled from the market, noting that the specific reasons behind the development was withheld to prevent panic among members of the public.
Upon further inquiry, she redirected the call to the company product manager, who declined to speak to The ICIR reporter.
The ICIR was asked to call back on Thursday, May 4. However, when this platform attempted to do so, the designated company phone contact was switched off.
The ICIR also reached out to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) on Wednesday, May 3, to inquire if the organisation was aware of the development and also ask about the likely reasons why the drug is being recalled. NAFDAC has not responded at the time this report was filed.
Mustapha Usman is an investigative journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: musman@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M