Alert as MFDA discovers fake cancer drug in market

Aug 13, 2026, 8:18 AM
Counterfeit injections prepared to look like the original product are being imported and sold in the Maldives. -- Photo: MedPage Today

Counterfeit injections prepared to look like the original product are being imported and sold in the Maldives. -- Photo: MedPage Today

The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has confirmed that a counterfeit version of an injectable cancer medication is being imported and sold in the Maldives.

In an alert issued yesterday, the authority identified the counterfeit product as Opdivo (Nivolumab) 10mg/10ml, batch number 8081399.

The MFDA has strictly prohibited the import, sale, and use of this batch of Nivolumab within the country.

This follows a previous health alert issued in May, when the authority published a list of 21 medications being illegally imported and sold by unauthorized parties.

At that time, the MFDA noted that unauthorized individuals were importing medicines and selling them through online platforms and general retail shops.

Under national regulations, medicines can only be imported into the Maldives by entities registered as authorized importers with the MFDA. Furthermore, all imported medications must be registered in accordance with established guidelines and included on the country's approved drug list.

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