NAFDAC Issues Alert on Fake Postinor Being Sold, Explains How to Find Original One
- NAFDAC has raised alarm over falsified batches of Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) currently circulating in Nigeria, posing serious health risks
- The counterfeit products were flagged by the Society of Family Health, which confirmed they were not imported by the authorised company
- Consumers are urged to verify packaging details and obtain emergency contraceptives only from licensed pharmacies and healthcare providers
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert regarding the circulation of falsified Type 1 and Type 2 batches of Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg), a widely used emergency contraceptive pill.
The agency confirmed that the counterfeit products pose serious risks to public health and safety.
Source: Twitter
Falsified postinor-2 batches identified by NAFDAC
According to NAFDAC, the alert followed a report from the Society of Family Health (SFH), the Marketing Authorisation Holder (MAH), which stated that the company had not imported the affected product batches.
The agency noted that the falsified versions of Postinor-2 were distinguishable by several packaging anomalies.
Key discrepancies included a smaller font size on the pin verification sticker and a misspelling of the word “Verify” as “Veify.” Additionally, the back of the counterfeit pack displayed the incorrect spelling “Distnibuted in Nigeria” instead of the correct “Distributed in Nigeria.” In contrast, the original product features a larger, more legible font and accurate spelling throughout its packaging.
Health risks linked to counterfeit emergency contraceptive pills
Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) is a recognised brand of emergency contraceptive pill containing the active ingredient levonorgestrel. NAFDAC warned that the falsified versions may contain incorrect, substandard, or harmful ingredients, and may have been produced under non-sterile conditions.
The agency stated that the risks associated with using counterfeit Postinor-2 include:
• Failure of contraceptive effect
• Exposure to toxic or harmful contaminants
• Unpredictable side effects
• Missed opportunity for genuine emergency contraception
• Potential long-term reproductive health complications
NAFDAC further cautioned that unknown substances in the falsified pills could trigger allergic reactions, organ damage, or even death. As counterfeit medicines are unregulated, untested, and illegal, their safety and efficacy cannot be guaranteed.
In response to the threat, NAFDAC has directed all zonal directors and state coordinators to conduct surveillance and initiate a mop-up operation targeting the falsified Type 1 and Type 2 batches of Postinor-2 across Nigeria. The agency emphasised that investigations into the source of the counterfeit products remain ongoing.
Call for vigilance among distributors and healthcare providers
NAFDAC urged distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers to exercise heightened vigilance throughout the supply chain. The agency advised that all medical products, including emergency contraceptives, should be sourced exclusively from authorised and licensed suppliers.
Consumers are encouraged to verify the authenticity and physical condition of Postinor-2 before use and to obtain it only from verified pharmacies or licensed healthcare providers.
The agency reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public health and called on all stakeholders to support efforts to eliminate falsified medicines from circulation.
Source: Legit.ng
