The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted the public about the illegal sale and distribution of an unregistered brand of condoms in Nigeria – Foula Condoms.
This was revealed in a statement posted on NAFDAC’s website.
According to NAFDAC, officials from the Post-Marketing Surveillance (PMS) directorate discovered Foula condoms in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, and Zango, Katsina State.
The agency stated that the discovery was made during a Risk-Based Post Marketing Surveillance study on registered condoms in Nigeria.
It explained that the condom is not registered by NAFDAC for use in Nigeria, and the labeling of the product was not done in English Language.
It warned that the illegal distribution or sale of unregistered condoms poses a risk as the safety, quality, and efficacy of the products are not guaranteed, and the purchase and use of poor-quality condoms will adversely affect every aspect of condom promotion for the prevention of unintended pregnancy and protection against HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections.
NAFDAC directed all its zonal directors and state coordinators to carry out surveillance and mop up the unregistered products within the zones and states.
It said that importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and consumers are advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and use of illegally distributed products.
Also, all medical products and medical devices must be obtained from authorized and licensed suppliers and the products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked, NAFDAC said.
