Fake batches of Postinor-2 in circulation, NAFDAC warns students, youths, others

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised alarm over the circulation of fake batches of Postinor-2, a popular emergency contraceptive, across Nigeria.

In a public alert issued on Monday, the agency disclosed that the falsified products—labelled as Type 1 and Type 2 batches, were identified after the authorised importer, the Society for Family Health (SFH), confirmed it did not bring them into the country.

According to NAFDAC, the counterfeit packs carry noticeable errors, including a misspelt verification sticker that reads “Veify” instead of “Verify”, and another spelling blunder at the back of the pack stating “Distnibuted in Nigeria” rather than “Distributed in Nigeria.”

The agency listed the fake versions as:

• Type 1: Batch T36184B, manufactured in August 2024, expiry August 2028

• Type 2: Batch 332, manufactured in March 2023, expiry February 2027

Both carry registration number 04-6985.

NAFDAC warned that the falsified products may contain harmful or ineffective ingredients, leading to contraceptive failure, toxic side effects, long-term reproductive complications, or even death.

The agency therefore urged students, young people, and the general public to be cautious, buy only from licensed pharmacies, and report any suspicious products. Nationwide surveillance and mop-up operations of the fake batches have already begun.