In Lagos, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) seized counterfeit Malamal Forte malaria drugs, which had been illegally imported from China and disguised as diclofenac to avoid detection. The authentic version of this medication, often sold under similar names like Malana Forte or Amatem Forte, is a combination antimalarial drug. The main ingredients are artemether and lumefantrine.
The operation highlights the serious public health risks posed by counterfeit malaria drugs, particularly in a country with one of the highest malaria burdens in the world.
The most effective way to prevent malaria in Nigeria is to use insect repellents and take chemoprophylaxis obtained in your home country. In case of fever, malaria should be always ruled out in a reliable health care center.