Nigerian Government Warns Against Using Coπdoms
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against the illegal circulation and sale of Foula condoms, an unregistered brand found on the market.
According to NAFDAC’s Post-Marketing Surveillance Directorate, unregistered Foula condoms, packaged in threes, 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 noted: “The condom is not registered by NAFDAC for use in Nigeria, and the product’s labeling is not in the English language.”
The agency emphasized that condoms, when properly registered and used correctly, are effective in preventing unintended pregnancies and protecting against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. However, the circulation of unregistered brands like Foula compromises safety, quality, and effectiveness, thereby increasing risks associated with 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 instructed its zonal directors and state coordinators to conduct surveillance and remove the unregistered products from circulation. It advised importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and consumers to remain vigilant within the supply chain and only obtain medical products from authorized and licensed suppliers, carefully checking the authenticity and physical condition of products.
The Directorate urged healthcare professionals and consumers to report any suspicion of substandard or falsified products to the nearest NAFDAC office, by calling 0800-162-3322, or via email at sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.
Additionally, NAFDAC encouraged the reporting of any adverse effects related to medical products or devices to their offices or through the E-reporting platform on the NAFDAC website at www.nafdac.gov.ng, or via the Med-safety app, available on Android and iOS stores, or by emailing pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng.
