The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued an urgent alert over counterfeit Otrivin Nasal Drops circulating in Nigeria, ordering a nationwide withdrawal of the product. In a public notice numbered 019/2026, the agency confirmed that both the adult and children's versions of the fake nasal drops are being distributed, posing serious health risks. NAFDAC stated that laboratory tests revealed the counterfeit products do not contain the active ingredient, xylometazoline hydrochloride, and may instead contain harmful substances. The agency identified the legitimate Otrivin products by specific batch numbers and expiration dates, urging consumers to stop using any suspicious versions immediately. Pharmacies and distributors have been directed to recall all suspect batches, while NAFDAC intensifies surveillance across markets and supply chains. The agency advised the public to report suspected counterfeit products to its nearest office or through its toll-free line.
NAFDAC's discovery of fake Otrivin nasal drops with no active ingredient exposes a dangerous flaw in Nigeria's medicine supply chain. If counterfeiters can replicate a widely trusted brand down to packaging but leave out the essential drug component, patients are being treated with placebos that mask real illness. This puts every Nigerian who relies on over-the-counter medication at risk, especially children. The fact that the fraud was detected only after lab testing raises serious doubt about how many other fake drugs remain undetected.
