According to the FDA, the said product had been defaced and relabelled with new manufacturing date as February 2016, with January 2020 as the expiry date.

In a statement the FDA said the product had also been relabelled and “clandestinely distributed to the pharmacies, over-the-counter (OTC) drug stores, herbal shops, cosmetic shops etc, with the lot number being, 1 NLAV 820/370-400.

FDA market surveillance

“Persons in charge of such facilities are to examine their inventory and immediately remove the said products from trade should they have them in stock, and inform the FDA for further action,” a statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the FDA, Mrs Delese A. A. Darko, said.

The statement explained that the FDA detected, through its market surveillance nationwide, that the labels of large quantities of the product, which were expired, were being defaced, relabelled and distributed to various outlets for sale.

It, therefore, directed all the outlets where the products were distributed to remove them.

No guarantee for safety

“Consumers are also being cautioned not to patronise this relabelled product, as the FDA cannot assure its safety or protect them from any potential health hazards it may cause,” the statement said.

It gave an assurance that the FDA was working to ensure effective recall of the affected products from the market and that those found to be behind the heinous act would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

It further entreated the general public to inform the FDA of any regulated products found on the market which did not comply with the standards.