Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) today advised against using a counterfeit version of an injection used in cancer treatment that was imported into the country by a private party.

In an alert issued by the authority, it stated that it had confirmed the import of batch number 8081399 of the "Nivolumab" injection, produced by a company named Swords Laboratories Unlimited.

Therefore, it stated that importing, selling, or using this injection in the Maldives in any way is strictly prohibited.

A Health Ministry official stated that the injection was imported by a private individual. However, the official noted that the injection is not available in pharmacies.

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) also urged vigilance after fake batches of a drug named "Darzalex," used in cancer treatment, were found in the Maldives.

WHO stated that these medications found in the Maldives and Mexico could pose a threat to patients' lives and severely disrupt the treatment system.

According to the WHO, the primary concern is that some hospitals had received the medication. The organization noted that this is a matter of concern regarding the international supply chain of pharmaceuticals.

"Darzalex" is an antibody used to treat multiple myeloma, a type of bone marrow cancer, as well as amyloidosis, a blood disorder.