The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised an alarm over the circulation of unregistered oxytocin injections in Nigeria, cautioning citizens about the dangers of using falsified medicines.
In an alert numbered 028/2025 and published on its official website on Monday, the agency disclosed that an unregistered product, Gold Vision Oxytocin Injection 10IU, was recently uncovered.
The injection carried a fake NAFDAC registration number and was falsely labeled as being manufactured by a company in China, while it was reportedly marketed by a firm based in Enugu State.
According to NAFDAC, the product was identified during a risk-based sampling survey conducted by officials of its Post-Marketing Surveillance Directorate.
Further investigations revealed that three other falsified injections A-tocin Injection, Extocin Injection, and Claxitodin Injection were also identified during its 2023 surveillance operations.
All of the products carried the same forged registration number, A4-9566, and were absent from the official NAFDAC registered products database.
NAFDAC explained that oxytocin is a natural hormone and neuropeptide, also manufactured as a drug.
It is widely used in hospitals to induce or strengthen labour, control postpartum bleeding, and support lactation.
However, falsified or poor-quality oxytocin injections pose grave health risks.
“These products may contain no active ingredient, the wrong dosage, or harmful contaminants.
The consequences can be severe, leading to weak uterine contractions, postpartum haemorrhage, or even maternal death,” the agency warned.
It further stressed that poor-quality oxytocin could delay or fail to stop excessive bleeding after childbirth, a complication that often requires emergency blood transfusions or surgery to save the mother’s life.
In response, NAFDAC said its zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to intensify surveillance, monitor distribution channels, and immediately withdraw any falsified oxytocin products discovered in circulation.
The agency also urged importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare workers, and the general public to remain vigilant.
It advised Nigerians to purchase medical products only from licensed suppliers and to carefully verify authenticity and packaging details before use.
“Healthcare professionals and consumers are encouraged to report any suspected substandard or falsified products to the nearest NAFDAC office.
Reports of adverse reactions or side effects linked to medicines should also be promptly submitted,” the statement added.
NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public health and assured Nigerians that it would continue to clamp down on illegal and unsafe medical products circulating in the country.