The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted Nigerians to the circulation of falsified batches of Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg), an emergency contraceptive pill, across the country.
In a statement issued on Monday, the agency said the fake products, identified as Type 1 and Type 2 falsified batches, were detected after the authorised importer, Society for Family Health (SFH), confirmed it did not bring in the consignments.
According to NAFDAC, the counterfeit packs contain noticeable errors, including a misspelt verification sticker with “Veify” instead of “Verify” and a wrongly printed phrase “Distnibuted in Nigeria” at the back of the pack. The original version carries correct spellings and clearer fonts.
The agency revealed that the two falsified versions in circulation are:
- Counterfeit Product (Type 1): Batch T36184B, manufactured August 2024, expiring August 2028.
- Counterfeit Product (Type 2): Batch 332, manufactured March 2023, expiring February 2027.
Both fake products carry the registration number 04-6985.
NAFDAC warned that the counterfeit pills may contain incorrect or harmful ingredients, unsafe dosages of levonorgestrel, and could have been manufactured under poor conditions, posing serious threats to public health.
“The dangers of using these falsified products include contraceptive failure, exposure to toxic contaminants, unpredictable side effects, and possible long-term reproductive health complications,” the agency noted. It added that unknown substances in the fakes could cause allergic reactions, organ damage, or even death.
The agency urged Nigerians to buy Postinor-2 only from licensed pharmacies and healthcare providers, while also advising consumers and health workers to carefully check PIN stickers and report suspected counterfeits.
