By Precious Mark
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert over the detection of a suspected counterfeit version of Pulmicort (Budesonide) inhalation suspension circulating in the Nigerian market.
The regulatory agency disclosed this in Public Alert No. 037/2026, revealing that the notification came directly from AstraZeneca, the original manufacturer of the registered asthma medication, following routine market surveillance activities.
According to NAFDAC, the suspected falsified product is being distributed under the name “Ulmicort 0.5 mg/ml Inhalation Suspension,” a look-alike naming strategy designed to closely mimic genuine Pulmicort and mislead patients and healthcare professionals.
Genuine Pulmicort is an inhaled corticosteroid widely prescribed as a maintenance treatment to prevent asthma symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath, as well as for general prophylactic respiratory therapy.
Warning of the health risks associated with fake medicines, NAFDAC noted that counterfeit products fail to meet standard safety, quality, and efficacy requirements.
The agency stated that such items may contain incorrect active ingredients, improper dosages, or hazardous contaminants, which can lead to severe treatment failure and worsening respiratory conditions.
Details provided by the agency identify the fake batch as “Ulmicort 0.5 mg/ml Inhalation Suspension” carrying batch number 25770416E, a manufacturing date of June 2025, and an expiry date of May 2027.
The product carries a labeled manufacturer named Legency Remedies PVT Ltd, located in Solan, India, and was detected in Eastern Nigeria with a distributor address listed in Obosi North, Anambra State.
NAFDAC confirmed that it has launched an investigation to track the distribution network and source of the falsified drug.
All zonal directors and state coordinators have been instructed to execute nationwide surveillance and mop-up operations to locate and retrieve the counterfeit stock from circulation.
The agency advised consumers and healthcare providers to exercise extreme caution, purchase medicines exclusively from licensed pharmacies, and inspect packaging carefully before use. Members of the public were also urged to report suspicious products or adverse drug events to the nearest NAFDAC office.