The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert warning Nigerians about the circulation of counterfeit Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg), a widely used emergency contraceptive. The alert follows a report from the Society for Family Health (SFH), the product’s Marketing Authorization Holder, which confirmed that certain batches currently in the market were not imported by the company and are therefore falsified.
NAFDAC identified two counterfeit versions. Type 1 carries batch number T36184B, manufactured in August 2024 and expiring in August 2028. Type 2 is marked with batch number 332, manufactured in March 2023 and expiring in February 2027. Both fake products bear the same registration number as the genuine version—04-6985—making them deceptively similar to the original.
Visual discrepancies in the packaging include smaller font sizes on the PIN verification sticker and spelling errors such as “Veify” instead of “Verify” and “Distnibuted in Nigeria” instead of “Distributed in Nigeria.” These errors are key indicators of falsification.
NAFDAC warns that these counterfeit pills may contain incorrect or harmful ingredients, improper dosages of levonorgestrel, and may have been produced under unsanitary conditions. Risks include contraceptive failure, toxic side effects, allergic reactions, organ damage, and long-term reproductive health complications.
Consumers are urged to purchase Postinor-2 only from verified pharmacies and licensed healthcare providers. Healthcare professionals and the public are encouraged to report any suspicious products to the nearest NAFDAC office, via the toll-free line 0800-162-3322, or by email at sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng. Reports can also be submitted through NAFDAC’s e-reporting platforms or the Med-Safety mobile app.
NAFDAC has directed all zonal directors and state coordinators to intensify surveillance and remove the counterfeit products from circulation. The alert has also been shared with the World Health Organization’s Global Surveillance and Monitoring System to support international efforts against counterfeit medicines.
