NAFDAC Alerts Nigerians to Illegal Sale of Unregistered Foula Condoms, Urges Vigilance in Supply Chain
On Thursday, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) issued a warning to Nigerians regarding the illegal sale and distribution of an unregistered brand of condoms known as Foula Condoms. This alert follows a discovery made by officials from NAFDAC’s Post-Marketing Surveillance directorate during a Risk-Based Post Marketing Surveillance study focused on registered condom products within the country.
Foula Condoms were found packaged in sets of three in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, and Zango, Katsina State. NAFDAC emphasized that this product has not been registered for use in Nigeria, and noted that its labeling does not comply with local language requirements, as it is not in English.
NAFDAC underscored the importance of condoms as an effective barrier method for both preventing unintended pregnancies and protecting against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). For condoms to be effective, proper usage is critical. However, the agency cautioned that the illegal distribution of unregistered condoms raises significant safety concerns, as the quality and efficacy of these products cannot be guaranteed. Poor-quality condoms may lead to failures such as leaking or breaking, which undermines their protective capabilities.
In response to the findings, NAFDAC has instructed its zonal directors and state coordinators to conduct thorough surveillance and remove any unregistered products from circulation. The agency is urging importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and consumers to be vigilant in the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, or usage of these illegal products. It is crucial that all medical products, including medical devices, are sourced from authorized and licensed suppliers. Consumers are advised to carefully check the authenticity and physical condition of these products before use.
NAFDAC encourages anyone who suspects the sale of substandard or falsified medicines or medical devices to report their concerns to the nearest NAFDAC office or contact them through the helpline at 0800-162-3322 or via email at sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng. Additionally, healthcare professionals and patients are urged to report any adverse events or side effects related to medicinal products or devices through NAFDAC’s e-reporting platforms available on their website or via the Med-safety application, which can be downloaded from Android and iOS stores, or by emailing pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng.
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