The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has warned the public against the purchase and use of falsified Dr Alfred Capsules, a dietary supplement marketed for male vitality, after laboratory tests found the products had been adulterated with sildenafil citrate.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, the FDA said the falsified capsules were being sold through various social media platforms and had not been registered with the Authority.
The FDA said its regulatory intelligence activities and subsequent enforcement operations uncovered an organised syndicate operating in Accra and Suhum and involved in the manufacture and distribution of the falsified products across the country.
“Following regulatory intelligence and subsequent enforcement operations, the FDA has identified an organised syndicate operating in Accra and Suhum who manufacture and distributes the falsified products across the country,” the statement said.
The Authority disclosed that two suspects linked to the operation had been arrested and were assisting with investigations.
“Two suspects linked to this illicit activity are currently on police enquiry bail, assisting with ongoing investigations,” it said.
According to the FDA, the products were manufactured in unauthorised, unregulated and unhygienic environments, raising serious public health concerns.
Falsified capsules contain sildenafil
Laboratory analysis conducted by the FDA’s Centre for Laboratory Services and Research (CLSR) confirmed the presence of sildenafil citrate in the falsified capsules.
The substance, which was not declared on the product, is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor and is used as a prescription medicine for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men and pulmonary arterial hypertension.
“Additionally, laboratory analysis by the FDA Centre for Laboratory Services and Research (CLSR) confirmed that these falsified variants of the Dr Alfred Capsules have been adulterated with Sildenafil citrate, which is an allopathic drug substance,” the FDA said.
The Authority stressed that sildenafil citrate is not part of the formulation of the genuine Dr Alfred Capsules registered in Ghana.
The genuine product is manufactured by CV Al Manar Herbafit in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, and registered in Ghana by Unateus Ghana Limited as a food supplement.
“The registered product DOES NOT contain Sildenafil citrate,” the FDA stated.
FDA identifies differences in packaging
The Authority said it had identified several differences between the genuine Dr Alfred Capsules and the falsified versions being circulated.
The genuine product comes in a 30-capsule pack with high-quality packaging, clear text alignment and a secure finish. The falsified versions, however, have lower-quality packaging, inferior printing and blurred or altered typography.
The counterfeit products have also been found in both 30- and 60-capsule packs.
There are further discrepancies in the batch and manufacturing information. Genuine products carry clear and traceable batch numbers that correspond on both the label and the base of the container, while the falsified versions have mismatched batch numbers and fictitious FDA registration numbers.
The security seals also differ.
According to the FDA, genuine products have a uniform and intact tamper-evident seal specific to the marketing authorisation holder on the bottle cap, as well as an aluminium inner seal that is visible when the bottle is opened for the first time.
The falsified products are missing the safety seals on the bottle caps and may or may not contain an aluminium inner seal.
Capsules also differ in appearance
The FDA said there are visible differences between the genuine and falsified capsules.
The genuine capsules have a standardised wine-red shell containing uniform, fine off-white powder.
The falsified versions, however, come in varying colours, including transparent and black-and-red capsules, with greenish-brown powder inside.
FDA cautions public against online purchases
The FDA has advised members of the public to avoid purchasing medicines, herbal remedies and dietary supplements from unverified online platforms and social media accounts.
“The public is advised to desist from purchasing medications, herbal remedies, or dietary supplements from unverified online networks and social media handles,” the Authority said.
The FDA has also directed pharmacies, herbal shops and distributors to immediately inspect their stocks and report any suspected falsified products.
“All pharmacies, herbal shops and distributors are directed to immediately inspect their stock and report any suspicion of falsified products to the FDA,” it stated.
Anyone found in possession of the falsified Dr Alfred Capsules has been instructed to return them to the nearest FDA regional office.
“Anyone in possession of these falsified products must immediately return them to the nearest FDA regional office across the country,” the statement said.
