The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) hereby notifies the public of falsified Type 1 and 2 batches of POSTINOR 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) product in circulation. A report was received from the Society of Family Health (SFH), the MAH, which confirmed that their company did not import that product batch.
The noticeable difference was found to be as follows:
The font size of the text on the pin verification sticker appears smaller and has a wrong spelling of the word Veify instead of Verify on the fake; meanwhile, the text font on the sticker of the original appears bigger and more visible. There is also a wrong spelling behind the pack of the fake Distnibuted in Nigeria instead of distributed in Nigeria
Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) is a brand of emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) containing the active ingredient levonorgestrel.
Product Details
The falsified Product details are as follows:
Risk Statement:
Due to the potential presence of incorrect, substandard, or harmful ingredients, improper dosages of levonorgestrel, and a lack of sterile manufacturing conditions, poses significant risks to individual health and public safety. The risks of administering falsified Postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) include failure of contraceptive effect, toxic or harmful contaminants, unpredictable side effects, delayed or missed opportunity for genuine emergency contraception, and potential long-term reproductive health impact. unexpected side effects: Unknown substances can trigger allergic reactions, organ damage, or 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.
Although Investigations are still ongoing regarding the source of the falsified product, All NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the falsified product of type 1 and 2 postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) within the zones and states.
Distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers are advised to exercise caution and vigilance in the supply chain to prevent the distribution, sale, and use of falsified products. All medical products must be obtained from authorized/licensed suppliers. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.
Healthcare professionals and consumers are advised to report any suspicion of the sale of substandard and falsified medicines or medical devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng
Similarly, healthcare professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of medicinal products or devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med- safety application available for download on android and IOS stores or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng
Furthermore, note that this notice will be uploaded to the WHO Global Surveillance and Monitoring System (GSMS).
Product Image:
Original Product
Counterfeit Product (Type1)
Counterfeit Product (Type2)
In a startling development, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert regarding the discovery of falsified batches of Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75 mg) emergency contraceptive tablets circulating within Nigeria
According to NAFDAC, the Society for Family Health (SFH)—the official Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH) of the product—confirmed that the affected batches were never imported by them
NAFDAC identified two types of counterfeit versions:
Type 1: Batch T36184B, manufactured August 2024, expiring August 2028.
Type 2: Batch 332, manufactured March 2023, expiring February 2027.
Both bear the same registration number: 04-6985
The agency highlighted distinctive falsification markers that can help users distinguish fake products:
A pin verification sticker with noticeably smaller font and a misspelling: “Veify” in place of “Verify”.
A spelling error on the back of the packaging: “Distnibuted in Nigeria” instead of “Distributed in Nigeria”
NAFDAC warned that these counterfeit pills may contain substandard or harmful ingredients, incorrect dosages, and may be produced under unsanitary conditions—all of which carry serious health risks, such as:
Contraceptive failure, leading to unintended pregnancies.
Toxic side effects, allergic reactions, long-term reproductive health complications, organ damage, or even death
NAFDAC emphasized that counterfeit medicines are unregulated, untested, and illegal, meaning their safety and efficacy cannot be guaranteed
NAFDAC's Response and Calls to Action
Investigations into the counterfeit batches are ongoing, and NAFDAC has ordered zonal directors and state coordinators to heighten surveillance and mop up the fake products nationwide
The agency has urged consumers to:
Purchase Postinor-2 only from verified pharmacies or licensed healthcare providers.
Carefully inspect packaging for authenticity cues such as correct spelling, font size, and the pin sticker.
Report suspected counterfeit products to the nearest NAFDAC office
Healthcare professionals and retailers have also been advised to stay vigilant, source products responsibly, and educate end users on the risks posed by counterfeit contraceptives.
Counterfeit medications remain a global public health menace, especially in countries with porous regulatory systems. Such products may contain no active ingredients or dangerous contaminants, potentially causing therapeutic failure, adverse reactions, and increased antimicrobial resistance—if applicable
Nigeria has been battling counterfeit pharmaceuticals for decades, making vigilance and regulatory enforcement pivotal in mitigating public risks.
The circulation of counterfeit Postinor-2 presents a pressing health hazard, undermining trust in emergency contraceptives and jeopardizing reproductive health. As NAFDAC continues its investigation and crackdown, public cooperation remains vital. Consumers must remain alert, verify product authenticity, and report suspicious findings promptly—especially when lives hang in the balance.
No comments:
Post a Comment