Cofepris issues alerts for falsified Bayer drugs and stolen ADHD medication

Mexico's health regulator Cofepris issued two simultaneous health alerts on July 22–23, 2026, one for falsified over-the-counter medications from Bayer and another for the theft of two lots of the ADHD drug Medikinet MR. The alerts come amid a context of high demand for ADHD treatment, with at least 1.5 million children affected in Mexico Source: Infobae.

Falsified medications

Bayer identified five products with irregular lot numbers or altered expiration dates: Tabcin Noche, Tabcin Active, Flanax, Desenfriol D, and Alka Seltzer. For example, a package of Tabcin Noche had no lot number and an expiration of "NOV27", while Flanax containers showed modified dates Source: Milenio. The risks include unknown origin and manufacturing conditions Source: Heraldo México.

Stolen ADHD drug

Laboratorios Corne reported the theft of two Medikinet MR lots from Ralca's facilities. The stolen lots are 2500301 (10 mg capsules, expiry Nov 2026) and 2500403 (20 mg capsules, expiry Jan 2028) Source: Infobae. These may be sold illegally in markets or online without a prescription. Improper storage could compromise the drug's stability and safety Source: Milenio.

Recommendations

Cofepris urges consumers to buy medicines only from authorized establishments and to verify product authenticity by checking lot numbers and expiration dates. Consumption of falsified or stolen drugs can lead to severe health issues, including addiction, heart problems, or neurological damage Source: Milenio.