The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has cautioned the public against buying or using falsified Dr Alfred Capsules, a dietary supplement marketed for male vitality, after laboratory analysis detected sildenafil citrate in the products.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, the FDA said the falsified capsules were being promoted and sold through various social media platforms and had not been registered with the Authority.
The FDA said its regulatory intelligence operations, followed by enforcement activities, uncovered an organised syndicate operating in Accra and Suhum.
According to the Authority, the group was involved in the production and distribution of the falsified products, which were subsequently circulated in various parts of 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 added that two suspects allegedly linked to the operation had been arrested and were assisting with ongoing investigations.
“Two suspects linked to this illicit activity are currently on police enquiry bail, assisting with ongoing investigations,” it said.
The FDA said the falsified products were manufactured in unauthorised, unregulated and unhygienic conditions, raising serious concerns about their safety and potential risks to public health.
Laboratory tests conducted by the FDA’s Centre for Laboratory Services and Research (CLSR) confirmed the presence of sildenafil citrate in the capsules. The medicinal substance was not declared as an ingredient on the product.
“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.
Sildenafil citrate is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor commonly used as a prescription medicine to treat erectile dysfunction in men and pulmonary arterial hypertension.
The FDA clarified that sildenafil citrate is not an ingredient in the formulation of the genuine Dr Alfred Capsules registered in Ghana.
The Authority said the genuine Dr Alfred Capsules are 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.
The FDA has highlighted several differences between the genuine Dr Alfred Capsules and the falsified versions currently being sold.
According to the Authority, the genuine product is packaged in a 30-capsule container made with high-quality materials, featuring clear text alignment and a secure, premium finish. The falsified versions, however, have poorer-quality packaging, inferior printing and blurred or altered lettering, and have been identified in both 30- and 60-capsule packs.
The FDA also identified discrepancies in the batch and manufacturing details of the falsified products.
According to the Authority, genuine Dr Alfred Capsules carry clear and traceable batch numbers that correspond on both the product label and the base of the container. The falsified versions, however, bear inconsistent batch numbers and display fictitious FDA registration numbers on their labels.
The FDA also identified differences in the security seals between the genuine and falsified products.
According to the Authority, genuine Dr Alfred Capsules have an intact, tamper-evident seal specific to the marketing authorisation holder on the bottle cap, as well as an aluminium inner seal that becomes visible when the bottle is opened.
The falsified versions, however, lack the tamper-evident safety seal on the bottle caps and may or may not contain an aluminium inner seal.
The capsules themselves also show noticeable differences in appearance.
The FDA said the genuine capsules have a standardised wine-red shell containing a uniform, fine off-white powder. The falsified versions, however, vary in colour, with some appearing transparent while others have black-and-red shells containing greenish-brown powder.
The Authority has therefore advised the public to avoid purchasing medicines, herbal products 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 to the Authority.
“All pharmacies, herbal shops and distributors are directed to immediately inspect their stock and report any suspicion of falsified products to the FDA,” it said.
Anyone who has 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.