The Food & Drugs Authority (FDA) has warned the public against the circulation of falsified Dr. Alfred Capsules, a dietary supplement marketed for male vitality on social media platforms.
In a statement the FDA, stated that the product has not been registered by the authority adding that laboratory analysis by the FDA center for laboratory services and research has confirmed that falsified variants of the Dr. Alfred Capsules has been adulterated with sildenafil citrate.
It stated that sildenafil citrate is a phosphodiesterase type 5(PDE5) inhibitor which is an undeclared drug substance in the falsified product used as a prescription to treat erectile dysfunction in men as well as pulmonary arterial hypertension.
It added that the genuine product registered by CV Al Manar Herbafit in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, and Unateus Ghana Limited, as a food supplement and does not contain sildenafil citrate.
FDA has stated several differences between the genuine Dr Alfred Capsules and the falsified versions being sold for public consumption.
It said, the genuine product has “High-quality in container material, distinctive text alignment and secure, premium exterior finishes, with a pack size of 30capsules only, with a Clear, traceable batch numbers matching on both the label and at the base of the container as well as Uniform features , intact tamper-evident sealing characteristics unique to the Marketing Authorization Holder on the bottle cap, with an aluminium inner seal on first opening and lastly, a Standardised wine-red capsule shell coloration containing uniform off-white fine powder inside the capsule halves”.
It further highlighted that the falsified version “has Low quality in container material, inferior print resolution, and blurred or altered typography with varying pack sizes of 30 or 60 capsules pack.”
“Following regulatory intelligence and subsequent enforcement operations, the FDA has identified an organised syndicate operating in Accra and Suhum who manufacture and distributes the falsified products across the country,” the statement said.
The Authority added that two suspects linked to the operation had been arrested and were currently assisting with investigations.
The FDA has advised members of the public to avoid purchasing medicines, herbal remedies and dietary supplements through unverified online platforms and social media accounts.
It has also directed pharmacies, herbal shops and distributors to check their stocks immediately and report any suspected falsified products.
By Florence Adom Asamoah