According to the Post-Marketing Surveillance Directorate of NAFDAC, these unregistered Foula condoms, packaged in sets of three, have recently been discovered in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, and Zango, Katsina State.
In its Risk-Based Post-Marketing Surveillance study on registered condoms in Nigeria, the Directorate observed: “The condom is not registered by NAFDAC for use in Nigeria, and the product’s labeling is not in the English language.”
The agency highlighted that when condoms are appropriately registered and utilized correctly, they are effective in preventing unintended pregnancies and safeguarding against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. However, the presence of unregistered brands such as Foula undermines safety, quality, and effectiveness, consequently elevating the risks linked to condom failure.
NAFDAC cautioned: “The purchase and use of poor-quality condoms adversely impact condom promotion efforts. If condoms leak or break, they cannot provide adequate protection.”
NAFDAC has directed its zonal directors and state coordinators to monitor and eliminate unregistered products from the market.
The agency has urged importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and consumers to stay alert throughout the supply chain and to procure medical products exclusively from authorized and licensed suppliers, ensuring they verify the authenticity and condition of the products.
The Directorate has called on healthcare professionals and consumers to report any suspicions regarding substandard or counterfeit products to the nearest NAFDAC office by calling 0800-162-3322 or emailing sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.
Furthermore, NAFDAC has encouraged the reporting of any adverse reactions associated with medical products or devices either to their offices or through the E-reporting platform available on the NAFDAC website at www.nafdac.gov.ng, via the Med-safety app found on Android and iOS stores, or by emailing pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng.