By Opeyemi Adelakun
A medicine may look convincing on the shelf, carry a familiar brand name and even come in attractive packaging — but that does not automatically make it safe.
For Nigerians buying medicines from pharmacies, patent medicine shops or online vendors, knowing what to check can help reduce the risk of purchasing fake, expired or substandard products.
From suspicious packaging to sellers making unrealistic promises, here are seven warning signs consumers should never ignore.
- The packaging looks suspicious
Before paying, inspect the medicine pack. Blurred printing, spelling errors, broken seals, damaged containers or labels that appear altered should raise concerns.
Compare the information on the outer package with the details on the bottle, sachet or blister pack. If something does not match, ask a pharmacist to examine it before use.
- The expiry date is missing or appears altered
An unclear, erased or suspiciously overwritten expiry date is a reason to stop and seek clarification.
Check the manufacturing and expiry dates before buying, and avoid products that are expired or whose dates cannot be verified. Never assume a medicine is safe simply because its packaging looks intact.
- The NAFDAC number cannot be verified
A NAFDAC registration number printed on a pack is not, by itself, proof that the product is genuine. Fraudsters may copy legitimate numbers or display false details.
Consumers can check registration information through NAFDAC’s official Greenbook and compare the product name and manufacturer with the details displayed.
Verification portal: https://greenbook.nafdac.gov.ng/
- The price seems unusually low
A medicine being sold far below its usual price should prompt questions, particularly if the seller cannot explain where it came from.
A low price alone does not prove that a product is fake. However, consumers should be cautious about deals from unknown vendors and avoid buying medicines from sources they cannot verify.
- The medicine looks or smells different
Unexpected changes in colour, smell, texture or appearance may indicate a problem, especially when a product differs from what the consumer normally receives.
Do not taste or use a suspicious medicine to test whether it is genuine. Seek advice from a pharmacist or healthcare professional. Remember that counterfeit products can sometimes look almost identical to authentic ones.
- The seller cannot establish a reliable source
Be careful when buying medicines from street hawkers, unverified online vendors or outlets whose authorisation cannot be established.
Where possible, purchase medicines from licensed pharmacies and other legally authorised suppliers. For prescription medicines, follow the advice of a qualified healthcare professional rather than relying on a seller’s recommendation.
- The medicine comes with extraordinary cure promises
Claims that a product can cure several unrelated diseases, deliver guaranteed results or replace prescribed treatment should be treated with caution.
Do not abandon prescribed medicines or delay seeking medical care because of a seller’s promises. Ask a qualified healthcare professional to assess the product and the claims being made about it.
What should you do if you suspect a medicine is fake?
Stop and seek advice before using the product. Keep the packaging and receipt, if available, and record the product name, batch number, seller and place of purchase.
Consumers can report suspected substandard or falsified medicines to NAFDAC through its official website:
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