WHO warns of counterfeit Darzalex injections found in Maldives

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued an alert after counterfeit batches of the prescription medicine Darzalex were detected in the Maldives.

Darzalex is used to treat blood disorders, including multiple myeloma, a type of bone marrow cancer.

The WHO published the alert on its website on Friday after confirming that counterfeit batches of the medicine had been identified in both the Maldives and Mexico.

According to the WHO, the falsified products were distributed through unauthorised supply channels, with their origin and distribution history deliberately misrepresented.

The organisation said the manufacturer, Janssen, had confirmed that products bearing the batch numbers MYS7381 and STV1K01 are counterfeit.

The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has confirmed that batch STV1K01 was detected in the Maldives.

The WHO also warned that the contents of the counterfeit products have not yet been analysed in a laboratory, meaning their composition and potential health effects remain unknown.

The organisation said there have already been reports of adverse events linked to the counterfeit injections detected in the Maldives, including severe infections and illness.

The WHO urged healthcare providers, distributors and regulators to remain vigilant and ensure that suspected counterfeit medicines are not supplied or administered to patients.