Falsified Postinor-2 contraceptives

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert on the circulation of falsified batches of Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg), a popular emergency contraceptive pill widely used in Nigeria.

How to Identify the Counterfeits

NAFDAC disclosed the alert in a statement posted Tuesday on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, warning that counterfeit versions labeled as Type 1 and Type 2 have been discovered in the Nigerian market.

The falsified products were flagged by the Society for Family Health (SFH), the official marketing authorisation holder for Postinor-2, which confirmed that it did not import these batches.

According to NAFDAC, the fake products can be identified by:

• Spelling errors and poor printing quality
• Pin verification sticker with a smaller font and the misspelled word “Veify” instead of “Verify”
• Back of the pack marked “Distnibuted in Nigeria” instead of “Distributed in Nigeria”

The original authentic batch number is T32458H, manufactured in February 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027.
The falsified batches are labeled:

• T36184B (August 2024 – August 2028)
• 332 (March 2023 – February 2027)

Health Risks of Counterfeit Pills

The agency warned that these fake contraceptives pose serious health risks, which include:

• Failure of contraceptive effect, increasing the risk of unintended pregnancies
• Exposure to harmful or toxic ingredients
• Unpredictable side effects due to wrong or unsafe dosages
• Long-term reproductive health complications

“Counterfeit medicines are unregulated and illegal, making their safety and efficacy impossible to guarantee,” NAFDAC emphasized.

NAFDAC Steps Up Surveillance

The agency has instructed all zonal directors and state coordinators to intensify surveillance and mop up falsified products nationwide.

Healthcare providers, pharmacists, and consumers are advised to:

• Buy medicines only from authorised or licensed suppliers
• Check packaging details and verify authenticity before use
• Report suspicious products or adverse reactions immediately

Reports can be submitted through:

• NAFDAC Toll-Free Line: 0800-162-3322
• Email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng
• E-reporting platforms

Context: Nigeria’s Unmet Need for Contraception

This alert comes amid Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with high unmet contraceptive needs. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 257 million women globally face similar challenges. In Nigeria, limited awareness and misinformation make the situation worse, leaving many women without accurate knowledge about contraceptive methods, their safety, and effectiveness.