The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a warning to Nigerians regarding the illegal sale and distribution of an unregistered brand of condoms known as Foula Condoms. This alert was announced on Thursday after officials from the agency’s Post-Marketing Surveillance directorate identified the condoms in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, and Zango, Katsina State.
The discovery was made during a Risk-Based Post Marketing Surveillance study focused on registered condom brands in Nigeria. NAFDAC emphasized that Foula condoms are not registered for use in the country, and their packaging does not meet labeling standards, as it is not presented in English.
NAFDAC highlighted the importance of using registered condoms, noting that they are a proven method for preventing unintended pregnancies and protecting against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). “To ensure effectiveness, any barrier method used for contraception or infection prevention must be utilized correctly,” the agency stated.
The distribution and sale of these unregistered condoms pose significant risks, as their safety, quality, and efficacy cannot be guaranteed. The agency cautioned that using low-quality condoms could compromise efforts to prevent unintended pregnancies and protect against STIs, as compromised condoms may leak or break, rendering them ineffective.
To combat this issue, NAFDAC has instructed all zonal directors and state coordinators to conduct surveillance and eliminate the unregistered products from circulation. Importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and consumers are urged to exercise caution and be vigilant throughout the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and use of these illegally distributed products.
Consumers are advised to ensure that all medical products and devices are obtained from authorized suppliers and to verify the authenticity and physical condition of these products. Any suspicions regarding substandard or falsified medicines or medical devices should be reported to the nearest NAFDAC office or via the agency’s hotline at 0800-162-3322. NAFDAC has also encouraged healthcare professionals and patients to report any adverse effects related to medical products or devices through their E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website or via the Med-safety application.
NAFDAC remains committed to protecting public health and safety by ensuring the availability of quality medical products in Nigeria.
