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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a warning to Nigerians regarding the illegal sale and distribution of an unregistered brand of condoms.
On Thursday, the agency reported that officials from the Post-Marketing Surveillance directorate found Foula condoms, packaged in threes, in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, and Zango, Katsina State.
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NAFDAC stated, “The condom is not registered by NAFDAC for use in Nigeria, and the labelling of the product is not in the English Language.”
The agency emphasized the importance of condoms, saying, “Condoms are a proven effective barrier method that can be used as a dual-purpose method for both prevention of unintended pregnancy and protection against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. To be most effective, any barrier method used for contraception or preventing infection must be used correctly.”
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NAFDAC highlighted the risks associated with unregistered condoms, noting, “The illegal distribution or sale of unregistered condoms poses a risk as the safety, quality, and efficacy of the products are not guaranteed.”
It further warned, “The purchase and use of poor-quality condoms will adversely affect every aspect of condom promotion for the prevention of unintended pregnancy, and protection against HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections. If condoms leak or break, they cannot offer adequate protection.”
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The agency has instructed all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators to conduct surveillance and remove unregistered products from circulation.
It advised, “Importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and consumers are hereby advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid importing, distributing, selling, and using illegally distributed products. All medical products/medical devices must be obtained from authorised/licensed suppliers. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.”
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NAFDAC encourages healthcare professionals and consumers to report any suspicions about substandard or falsified medicines or medical devices to the nearest NAFDAC office or through its helpline at 0800-162-3322 or via email at sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.
Additionally, it urged, “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.”
