NAFDAC Warns Nigerians Against Fake Condoms In Circulation

Onoja Baba, Nigeria

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert regarding the sale and distribution of an unregistered brand of condoms, identified as “Foula Condoms,” across Nigeria. According to NAFDAC, officials from its Post-Marketing Surveillance directorate recently discovered the unauthorized condoms—packaged in sets of three—being sold in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, and Zango, Katsina State.

NAFDAC’s discovery emerged during a Risk-Based Post Marketing Surveillance study of registered condoms. The agency emphasized that Foula Condoms are neither registered by NAFDAC for use in Nigeria nor labeled in English, raising concerns about their compliance with Nigerian regulations.

The agency warned that the unregistered distribution of such products poses significant risks, as the safety, quality, and effectiveness of the condoms cannot be guaranteed. “The purchase and use of poor-quality condoms will adversely affect condom promotion efforts for preventing unintended pregnancies and protecting against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections,” NAFDAC stated. “If condoms leak or break, they fail to provide adequate protection.”

In response, NAFDAC has directed all zonal directors and state coordinators to conduct surveillance and remove these unregistered products from markets nationwide. The agency also urged importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and consumers to exercise caution, ensuring products are obtained from authorized suppliers and checked for authenticity.

NAFDAC further encouraged the public to report any suspicions of substandard or counterfeit products to their nearest NAFDAC office, or via NAFDAC’s helpline at 0800-162-3322 and email at sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng. The agency also advised that adverse events or side effects related to medical products or devices can be reported through its e-reporting platform on the NAFDAC website, the Med-Safety app, or via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng.