FDA Warns Ghanaians Over Fake Dr Alfred Capsules Containing Sildenafil

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has warned Ghanaians against buying or using falsified Dr Alfred Capsules being advertised and sold through social media platforms after laboratory tests found that the products had been adulterated with sildenafil citrate.

The FDA issued the warning on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, following regulatory intelligence and enforcement operations that uncovered an organised operation allegedly manufacturing and distributing the falsified capsules across the country.

According to the FDA, the operation was traced to Accra and Suhum, where the products were allegedly manufactured in unauthorised, unregulated and unhygienic environments.

Two suspects linked to the operation have been arrested and are currently on police enquiry bail while investigations continue.

What the FDA found

The falsified product is marketed as a dietary supplement for male vitality.

However, laboratory analysis by the FDA's Centre for Laboratory Services and Research (CLSR) confirmed the presence of sildenafil citrate in the falsified capsules.

Sildenafil citrate is a prescription medicine belonging to the phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor class. It is used medically in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men and pulmonary arterial hypertension.

The FDA stressed that sildenafil citrate is not part of the formulation of the genuine Dr Alfred Capsules registered in Ghana.

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

This distinction is important because the FDA's warning concerns the falsified variants, not the genuine registered product.

How consumers can identify the falsified product

The FDA has identified several differences between the genuine Dr Alfred Capsules and the falsified versions.

The genuine product is sold in a 30-capsule pack and uses high-quality container material with clear text alignment and secure packaging.

The falsified versions have been found in both 30- and 60-capsule packs and may have inferior packaging, poor print quality and blurred or altered lettering.

Consumers are also advised to examine the batch information.

According to the FDA, genuine products have clear and traceable batch numbers that correspond on the product label and the base of the container. The falsified versions may have mismatched batch numbers or fictitious FDA registration numbers.

There are also differences in the security seals. The genuine product has a uniform tamper-evident seal on the bottle cap and an aluminium inner seal that is removed when the bottle is first opened.

The falsified versions may lack the safety seal on the bottle cap and may or may not have an aluminium inner seal.

The physical appearance of the capsules can also differ. The genuine capsules have a standard wine-red shell containing uniform, fine off-white powder, while falsified versions identified by the FDA have included transparent and black-and-red shells containing greenish-brown powder.

FDA warns against buying health products from unverified sellers

The latest warning highlights the risks associated with purchasing medicines, herbal products and dietary supplements through unverified online sellers.

The FDA has advised consumers to avoid purchasing such products through unverified social media accounts and online networks.

The Authority has also directed pharmacies, herbal shops and distributors to inspect their stocks immediately and report any suspected falsified products.

Anyone who has the falsified Dr Alfred Capsules has been advised to return them to the nearest FDA regional office.

The FDA said members of the public can report suspected falsified medicines and food supplements through its official channels, including its WhatsApp and telephone lines.

What consumers should do

Consumers who have purchased Dr Alfred Capsules through social media or other unverified channels should not assume that the product is genuine simply because the packaging appears similar to the registered version.

The FDA's warning means buyers should pay particular attention to the pack size, print quality, batch numbers, registration details, seals and physical appearance of the capsules.

Consumers should also avoid self-medicating with products that contain undeclared prescription medicines.

The FDA's investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to identify and remove the falsified products from circulation.

The development is another reminder that consumers should verify the regulatory status of health products before purchasing them, particularly when they are being promoted through social media and other informal channels.

Source: Food and Drugs Authority (FDA)

Gonja Pulse Editorial Desk