The Health Ministry is advising of a WHO Medical Product Alert for three batches of falsified IMFINZI injection 500mg/10ml.

IMFINZI is a sterile concentrate for infusion.

It contains the active pharmaceutical ingredient durvalumab, which is a monoclonal antibody – as monotherapy, it is indicated for the treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in adults.

The WHO Alert says the falsified products have been detected in the Islamic Republic of Iran and Türkiye.

The Alert adds that the falsified products should be considered unsafe and their use may be life-threatening in some circumstances.

The public is asked to note the lots as identified by the WHO alert:

• Lot BAZR – This is a genuine lot number for distribution only in India. The falsified product shows discrepancies in the packaging artwork and text placement, with some text missing.
• Lot BBEG – This is a genuine lot number for distribution only in Egypt. The falsified product shows discrepancies in the packaging artwork and text placement, with some text missing. The product price (in Egyptian Pounds) is also missing.
• Lot AVZT – This lot number is not recognized by the genuine manufacturer. Any IMFINZI product with this lot number is considered falsified”.

The Ministry says the product IMFINZI (durvalumab) Injection 500mg, is registered for use in T&T.

As such, persons who may be in possession of the drug bearing the mentioned lot numbers should discontinue use immediately and to return to the place of purchase where possible.