The National Agencyfor Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted the public of a counterfeit Dostinex (Cabergolin) 0.5mg tablet in circulation.

NAFDAC issued the alert on its website, following the notification received from Pfizer Specialties Limited,the manufacturer of the original product, disclosing a patient’s complaint about the product.

The agency stated that though a laboratory analysis has not been conducted on the counterfeit Dostinex as sample of the product was not submitted by the complainant, the pictures of the product shared by the complainant were scrutinized by pfizer and some disturbing observations were made.

The observations include the shape of the tablets not corresponding to the authentic Dostinex tablets.

The expiry date captured within the Data-Matrix, 24/08/2012, does not match the expiry date printed on the box, 08/2024.

Pfizer has concluded that the product is counterfeit, as the features of Dostinex 0.5mg displayed in the pictures does not meet the Pfizer Dostinex specifications.

Dostinex contains the active ingredient cabergoline which is used to treat different types of medical problems that occur when too much of the hormone prolactin is produced.

It can be used to treat certain menstrual problems, fertility problems in men and women, and pituitary prolactinomas (tumors of the pituitary gland).

Also, Dostinex can be used to prevent the lactation in women after birth. (The Guardian)