National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned people about an unapproved antibiotic called Tarivid 200mg being sold in some parts of Lagos State.
The warning was shared on NAFDAC’s website in Public Alert No. 21/2025. The antibiotic was found during a regular inspection by their team in the Onipan area of Shomolu Local Government.
NAFDAC explained that the Tarivid 200mg discovered was not meant for Nigeria. It was supposed to be sold in Pakistan.
A representative from the company that owns the rights to the product, SANOFI, confirmed that the batch found in Lagos was not approved for Nigeria. It was made for Pakistan’s market.
SANOFI’s lab reviewed the batch and confirmed it was not meant to be sold in Nigeria. It’s not registered with NAFDAC, meaning it’s not officially approved for use in the country.
Tarivid is a brand name for Ofloxacin, an antibiotic used to treat infections such as those in the lungs, kidneys, skin, soft tissue, and urinary tract.
NAFDAC warned that using unregistered medicines can be dangerous. These drugs haven’t been checked for safety, quality, or how well they work.
The agency said that medicines not registered with them can put people’s health at risk because their safety and effectiveness are not guaranteed.
Details of the product were given: Tarivid (Ofloxacin 200mg), made by SANOFI in September 2023, and expires in August 2028. The registration number on the package is AL016.
To protect the public, NAFDAC has told all its offices across Nigeria to increase inspections and remove the unapproved drug wherever it is found.
They directed all zonal and state offices to search for and get rid of the fake product in their areas.
NAFDAC also told drug sellers, health workers, and caregivers to be alert and only buy medicines from licensed and approved sources.
They advised everyone involved in handling medicines to be careful and make sure they are not buying or selling this unapproved product.
The agency also asked people to check that medical products are real and in good condition before using or selling them.
Health workers and the public were urged to report any suspicious or fake medicines or medical products to the nearest NAFDAC office.
NAFDAC also encouraged people to report any side effects they have after using any medicine through their online reporting tools or at any of their offices.
