The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a warning to Nigerians about the illegal sale and distribution of an unregistered condom brand in the country. On Thursday, NAFDAC reported that officials from its Directorate of Post Marketing Surveillance discovered Foula condoms, packaged in threes, in Abakaliki, Ebonyi, and Zango in Katsina States. “These condoms are not registered by NAFDAC for use in Nigeria, and the product labelling is not in English,” the agency said. NAFDAC emphasized that condoms are an effective barrier method for preventing unintended pregnancies and protecting against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. However, for condoms to be effective, they must be used correctly. The agency warned that the illegal distribution of unregistered condoms poses a significant risk, as the safety, quality, and efficacy of these products are not guaranteed. Poor-quality condoms may leak or break, thus failing to offer adequate protection. NAFDAC has directed all zonal directors and state coordinators to conduct surveillance and remove the unregistered products from the market. It also urged importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and consumers to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid dealing with illegal products. “All medical products and devices must be obtained from authorized and licensed suppliers. The authenticity and physical condition of these products should be carefully checked. Healthcare professionals and consumers are advised to report any suspicion of substandard or falsified medicines or medical devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, by calling 0800-162-3322, or via email at sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng,” NAFDAC stated. NAFDAC also encouraged healthcare professionals and patients to report any adverse events or side effects related to the use of medical products or devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, through the e-reporting platforms on www.nafdac.gov.ng, the Med-Safety app available for download on Android and iOS stores, or via email at pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng.
