The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public warning over counterfeit batches of Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75 mg), an emergency contraceptive pill, found circulating widely across Nigeria.
In a statement released on Monday, the agency disclosed that the counterfeit products, identified as Type 1 and Type 2 falsified batches, were detected after the authorized importer, the Society for Family Health (SFH), confirmed it did not bring in those consignments.
NAFDAC highlighted several obvious signs distinguishing the fake products from genuine ones, including a misspelled verification sticker reading “Veify” instead of “Verify,” and an incorrect phrase “Distnibuted in Nigeria” on the back of the pack instead of “Distributed in Nigeria.” The counterfeit packs also had smaller, less visible fonts compared to the authentic products.
The counterfeit batches identified include:
- Type 1: Batch T36184B, manufactured August 2024, expiring August 2028
- Type 2: Batch 332, manufactured March 2023, expiring February 2027
Both carry the registration number 04-6985, which is the same as the genuine product, making visual verification important.
NAFDAC warned consumers that these fake pills may contain incorrect or harmful ingredients, improper levonorgestrel dosages, and could have been produced under unsafe conditions, posing severe health risks. These risks include contraceptive failure, exposure to toxic contaminants, unpredictable side effects, allergic reactions, organ damage, and even death.
The agency urged Nigerians to purchase Postinor-2 only from licensed pharmacies or healthcare providers and carefully verify PIN stickers on the packaging to avoid counterfeit products. It also announced ongoing investigations to trace the source of the fake pills and directed zonal directors and state coordinators to carry out surveillance and remove the falsified batches nationwide.
Consumers and healthcare providers are advised to report suspected counterfeit products promptly to NAFDAC to help protect public health.
This alert serves as a crucial reminder of the dangers of counterfeit medicines and the importance of obtaining medications from authorized sources to ensure safety and efficacy.
