Is Your BP Medication Genuine? Here's How to Verify It in Nigeria

NAFDAC estimates that 17% of medicines in circulation in Nigeria are substandard or falsified. For high-demand drugs like blood pressure medication, the rate may be higher. Here are three steps to verify your BP medication is genuine, and how to avoid the risk entirely.

Step 1: Check the NAFDAC registration number

Every legitimate medication in Nigeria carries a NAFDAC registration number (format: NAFDAC Reg. No. XX-XXXX or MAS-XXXX). Verify it:

• Online: NAFDAC Green Book
• SMS: Send the registration number to NAFDAC's verification service
• Mobile app: NAFDAC has a mobile verification app

If the number doesn't exist, doesn't match the product, or the product isn't registered. Don't take it.

Step 2: Compare pricing against the floor

Legitimate Amlodipine 10mg (30 tablets) costs ₦3,000–8,000 depending on manufacturer. That price floor exists because pharmaceutical manufacturing has real costs.

If someone offers Amlodipine for ₦1,000, the margins don't support legitimate manufacturing. The cost of raw materials, manufacturing, quality control, import duties, and pharmacy margins means there's a minimum viable price.

Step 3: Examine the physical packaging

Common signs of counterfeits:

• Blurred or fuzzy text: legitimate manufacturers use high-resolution printing
• Colour inconsistencies: compare with manufacturer's official product images
• Missing or incorrect batch numbers: legitimate products have unique, traceable batch codes
• Spelling errors: on the packaging or patient information leaflet
• Damaged or resealed packaging: evidence of tampering

Beyond verification: source from verified pharmacies

Checking your medication after buying it is reactive. The proactive approach: source from pharmacies that are already verified.

Pharmacies in our network are:

• Licensed by the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria
• NAFDAC-compliant for storage and distribution
• Part of a managed supply chain with traceable sourcing

When you order through Famasi, every product comes from a verified pharmacy. No open market. No unlicensed chemist. No buying from unregulated distributors.

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What Our Customers Say

My chemist in Lagos Island sold me Amlodipine that looked different from what I normally buy. I was skeptical. Famasi connected me with a pharmacy in Victoria Island that I've used for two years now. Never looking back.

— Emeka A., Lagos

I ordered my father's BP medication through Famasi. The package came with a NAFDAC certificate. That's the peace of mind you need when it's for your parent.

— Funke O., Abuja

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I verify my medication is NAFDAC registered? Every legitimate medication in Nigeria has a NAFDAC registration number. You can verify it online at the NAFDAC Green Book, send an SMS to NAFDAC's verification service, or use their mobile app.

What should I do if I think my medication is fake? Stop taking it immediately. Report it to NAFDAC and the pharmacy where you bought it. Then source from a verified pharmacy like those in our network.

Are expensive medications always genuine? Not necessarily, but prices significantly below the market floor are a red flag. If Amlodipine 10mg (30 tablets) costs ₦1,000, legitimate manufacturing costs don't add up.

Can I return medication if it's counterfeit? If purchased from a verified pharmacy with quality guarantees, yes. Keep your receipts and report issues immediately.

Does Famasi guarantee authentic medication? Yes. Every pharmacy in our network is licensed by the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria and NAFDAC-compliant for storage and distribution.

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*Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your physician before making changes to your medication regimen. Famasi Africa connects patients with licensed pharmacies but does not provide medical diagnoses or prescriptions.*

Concerned about your medication? Speak with a Care Specialist