The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has arrested two people over the manufacture and distribution of falsified Dr Alfred Capsules, a product marketed on social media as a male vitality supplement.

According to the FDA, laboratory analysis has confirmed that the fake capsules contain Sildenafil citrate, a prescription-only medicine that was not declared on the product label.

The Authority said the discovery followed regulatory intelligence and enforcement operations targeting an organised syndicate allegedly involved in the production and distribution of the falsified capsules in Accra and Suhum.

The two suspects are currently on police enquiry bail and are assisting with investigations.

The FDA said its Centre for Laboratory Services and Research (CLSR) conducted laboratory analysis on the seized products and confirmed the presence of Sildenafil citrate.

Sildenafil is a prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension. The FDA’s concern is that the substance was found in the falsified Dr Alfred capsules without being declared on the product’s label.

The Authority stressed that consumers may therefore be exposed to an undisclosed pharmaceutical ingredient when purchasing the counterfeit product.

Fake capsules were not registered by FDA

The FDA said the falsified Dr Alfred capsules had not been registered by the Authority and were reportedly manufactured in unauthorised, unregulated and unhygienic environments.

The circumstances surrounding their production and distribution have consequently raised significant public health concerns.

The FDA said the genuine Dr Alfred product is manufactured by CV Al Manar Herbafit in Indonesia and is registered in Ghana by Unateus Ghana Limited as a food supplement.

Importantly, the Authority stated that the genuine registered product does not contain Sildenafil citrate.

How to identify the fake Dr Alfred capsules

The FDA has identified several differences between the genuine Dr Alfred capsules and the falsified versions circulating on the market.

The genuine product comes in a pack of 30 capsules and uses high-quality packaging with clear printing, properly aligned text and secure sealing.

The falsified versions, however, may come in packs of either 30 or 60 capsules and reportedly use lower-quality containers, with blurred printing and altered lettering.

The FDA also said genuine products carry clear and traceable batch numbers that correspond between the product label and the base of the container.

Some falsified versions either lack matching batch numbers or display fictitious FDA registration numbers.

Another difference concerns the safety seal. Genuine products have uniform tamper-evident sealing and an aluminium inner seal, while the fake versions may lack safety seals on the bottle caps.

The physical appearance of the capsules can also help consumers distinguish between the genuine and falsified products.

According to the FDA, genuine Dr Alfred capsules have a standard wine-red shell containing uniform off-white fine powder.

The falsified capsules identified by the Authority may have different shell colours, including transparent or black-and-red shells, and may contain greenish-brown powder.

The FDA is therefore urging consumers to carefully examine products before purchasing or consuming them, particularly when they are being offered through social media platforms.

FDA warns public against buying medicines from unverified sources

The latest action highlights the growing concern over the sale of falsified health products through social media and other informal channels.

The FDA has urged members of the public to exercise caution when purchasing Dr Alfred capsules online and to avoid products whose authenticity cannot be established.

Consumers have also been encouraged to report suspected cases involving falsified medicines and food supplements to the Authority.

The FDA said reports can be made through its official communication channels, including WhatsApp or telephone contact at 0551112224/5, as well as its social media platforms.

Public health concerns over undisclosed ingredients

The discovery of undeclared Sildenafil citrate in the falsified capsules underscores the potential risks associated with buying unregistered health products.

Consumers may be unaware of the ingredients contained in such products, making it difficult to assess possible interactions, contraindications or other health risks.

The FDA’s warning therefore reinforces the importance of purchasing medicines and health supplements from legitimate and verifiable sources.

The Authority’s ongoing investigation is expected to shed more light on the network behind the manufacture and distribution of the fake Dr Alfred capsules in Ghana.