The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has issued an urgent public warning following the discovery of counterfeit and adulterated “Dr. Alfred Capsules” circulating across various social media platforms.
According to a public notice released by the Authority, the illicit product, marketed as a dietary supplement for male vitality, has not been registered by the FDA and poses severe health risks to consumers.
Regulatory intelligence and subsequent enforcement operations revealed that an organised syndicate operating in Accra and Suhum has been manufacturing and distributing the falsified product across the country. Two suspects linked to the operation have been placed on police enquiry bail while investigations continue.
Laboratory testing conducted by the FDA Centre for Laboratory Services and Research confirmed that the counterfeit capsules were adulterated with Sildenafil citrate, an undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredient. Sildenafil citrate is a prescription-only drug used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension, which can pose critical health hazards when consumed without medical supervision.
The FDA clarified that the genuine product, manufactured in Indonesia by CV Al Manar Herbafit and registered in Ghana by Unateus Ghana Limited as a food supplement, does not contain Sildenafil citrate.
To assist consumers and retailers in identifying fake batches, the Authority highlighted several discrepancies between the authentic and counterfeit products. Authentic bottles feature high-quality packaging, clear batch numbers, tamper-evident seals, and wine-red capsules containing a uniform off-white powder. In contrast, the falsified versions exhibit low-quality printing, missing or fictitious batch and registration numbers, missing safety seals, and capsules in transparent or black-and-red colors containing greenish-brown powder.
In light of the findings, the regulator urged the public to exercise caution when purchasing health products online.
“The public is advised to desist from purchasing medications, herbal remedies, or dietary supplements from unverified online networks and social media handles,” the FDA stated.
The Authority further directed all pharmacies, herbal shops, and distributors to inspect their stocks immediately and report any suspicious items. Individuals currently holding the counterfeit capsules are instructed to hand them over to the nearest FDA regional office.
The FDA affirmed that digital monitoring and market surveillance remain ongoing to ensure all counterfeit stocks are completely removed from the market. Members of the public with information on illegal distribution networks are encouraged to contact the Authority through its official communication channels.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
