By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sounded the alarm over two batches of counterfeit Postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) currently being circulated in the country.
This is contained in a Public Alert No. 027/2025 published on the agency’s website on Tuesday.
According to NAFDAC, the two batches of counterfeit emergency contraceptive pills in circulation were confirmed not to have been imported by the Society of Family Health (SFH), the Marketing Authorisation Holder (MAH) for the product.
NAFDAC also detailed differences between the original and counterfeit products.
“The noticeable difference was found to be as follows: The font size of the text on the pin verification sticker appears smaller and has a wrong spelling of the word Veify instead of Verify on the fake; meanwhile, the text font on the sticker of the original appears bigger and more visible.
“There is also a wrong spelling behind the pack of the fake Distnibuted in Nigeria instead of distributed in Nigeria,” the agency said.
It further revealed that the original product carries batch number T32458H while the counterfeit two batches have numbers T36184B and 332.
It stated February 2023 as manufacturing date of the original product while the counterfeit products carry August 2024 and March 2023.
NAFDAC also disclosed that the counterfeit products carry the same registration number as the original: 04-6985.
According to the agency, “The risks of administering falsified Postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) include failure of contraceptive effect, toxic or harmful contaminants, unpredictable side effects, delayed or missed opportunity for genuine emergency contraception, and potential long-term reproductive health impact.”
On unexpected side effects, NAFDAC said, “Unknown substances can trigger allergic reactions, organ damage, or death.
“Counterfeit medicines are unregulated, untested, and illegal, making their safety and efficacy impossible to guarantee.”
The agency urged patients to only obtain Postinor-2 from verified pharmacies or licensed healthcare providers.
