NAFDAC Raises Alarm as Fake Postinor-2 Contraceptives Circulate in Nigeria
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, (NAFDAC), has alerted the public to the circulation of falsified batches of Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) emergency contraceptives in Nigeria, warning that the counterfeit drugs pose serious risks to women’s health.
OTN News further reports that the agency who disclosed this in a statement on its official website, said that the alert followed a report from the Society for Family Health (SFH), the Marketing Authorisation Holder (MAH), confirming that the counterfeit products were not imported or distributed by the company.
According to NAFDAC, the fake versions of Postinor-2 are easily identifiable by obvious errors. These include a pin verification sticker printed in a smaller font size, a spelling mistake showing “Veify” instead of “Verify,” and an incorrect spelling of “distributed in Nigeria.”
The agency warned that the falsified contraceptives may contain harmful or substandard ingredients, wrong dosages of levonorgestrel, or contaminants resulting from unsafe manufacturing practices.
Such risks, it cautioned, could cause contraceptive failure, toxic side effects, allergic reactions, organ damage, long-term reproductive health complications, or even death.
“Counterfeit medicines are unregulated, untested, and illegal, making their safety and efficacy impossible to guarantee. Patients should only obtain Postinor-2 from verified pharmacies or licensed healthcare providers,” NAFDAC said.
The agency further disclosed that investigations into the source of the fake products are ongoing. It also directed all zonal directors and state coordinators to intensify market surveillance and mop up affected batches nationwide.
NAFDAC, however, called on distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers to exercise vigilance, source medicines only from authorized channels, and carefully inspect the authenticity and physical condition of products before use or sale.
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