The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert concerning falsified batches of Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) currently circulating in Nigeria.
The agency disclosed that a report from the Society for Family Health (SFH), the Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH), confirmed that it did not import the affected product batches.
According to NAFDAC, careful inspection revealed noticeable differences between the genuine and counterfeit versions. The pin verification sticker on the falsified pack has smaller font size and carries a spelling error, reading “Veify” instead of “Verify.” In addition, the back of the fake pack contains another error, spelling “Distnibuted in Nigeria” rather than “Distributed in Nigeria.”
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Postinor-2, which contains levonorgestrel, is a well-known brand of emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) used to prevent unintended pregnancy after unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure.
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Details Of The Counterfeit Products
NAFDAC highlighted the product details of both genuine and counterfeit versions as follows:
Original Product
Product Name: Postinor-2
Batch Number: T32458H
Manufacturing Date: 02/2023
Expiry Date: 02/2027
NAFDAC Reg. Number: 04-6985
Counterfeit Product (Type 1)
Product Name: Postinor-2
Batch Number: T36184B
Manufacturing Date: 08/2024
Expiry Date: 08/2028
NAFDAC Reg. Number: 04-6985
Counterfeit Product (Type 2)
Product Name: Postinor-2
Batch Number: 332
Manufacturing Date: 03/2023
Expiry Date: 02/2027
NAFDAC Reg. Number: 04-6985
Health Risks Associated With Counterfeit Pills
The agency warned that counterfeit versions of Postinor-2 may contain incorrect or substandard ingredients, improper dosages of levonorgestrel, or contaminants resulting from unsafe manufacturing conditions. These risks could lead to contraceptive failure, severe side effects, allergic reactions, organ damage, and in extreme cases, death.
“Counterfeit medicines are unregulated, untested, and illegal, making their safety and efficacy impossible to guarantee,” NAFDAC emphasized. Consumers were strongly advised to purchase Postinor-2 only from verified pharmacies and licensed healthcare providers.
Regulatory Action And Public Advisory
NAFDAC disclosed that investigations are ongoing to trace the source of the falsified products. The agency has directed all zonal directors and state coordinators to conduct surveillance and mop up the counterfeit Type 1 and Type 2 batches across Nigeria.
Distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers were urged to exercise vigilance within the medical supply chain to prevent the distribution and sale of falsified products. All medicines should be sourced from authorized suppliers, while product authenticity and packaging must be carefully checked.
Healthcare professionals and consumers have been encouraged to report suspected cases of counterfeit medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office or through the toll-free number 0800-162-3322 and email: [email protected]. Reports of adverse drug reactions should also be submitted via the NAFDAC e-reporting platforms on its website, the Med-Safety mobile app (available on Android and iOS), or through email at [email protected].
NAFDAC confirmed that the alert has also been shared with the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Surveillance and Monitoring System (GSMS) for wider awareness.
Product Image:
Original Product
Counterfeit Product (Type1)
Counterfeit Product (Type2)
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