The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians that there are fake Postinor 2 pills being sold in some places.
Postinor 2 is an emergency contraceptive pill (sometimes called the “morning-after pill”) that helps to prevent pregnancy if taken soon after unprotected sex. The real Postinor 2 is safe when bought from licensed pharmacies, but NAFDAC says there are fake versions in circulation that can be dangerous.
NAFDAC made this known on Tuesday through a public notice shared on its official website and social media pages.
How to Spot the Fake Pills
NAFDAC explained that the fake Postinor 2 can be identified by spelling mistakes and changes in the print on the packet:
- On the original pack, the pin verification sticker is bold and clear, and it says “Verify.”
- On the fake pack, the sticker looks smaller and wrongly spells it as “Veify.”
- At the back of the fake pack, it says “Distnibuted in Nigeria” instead of the correct spelling, “Distributed in Nigeria.”
Details of the Products
- Original Postinor 2: Batch No. T32458H, made in 02/2023, expires 02/2027.
- Fake Postinor 2 (Type 1): Batch No. T36184B, made in 08/2024, expires 08/2028.
- Fake Postinor 2 (Type 2): Batch No. 332, made in 03/2023, expires 02/2027.
Why the Fake Pills Are Dangerous
NAFDAC says taking the fake pills is risky because:
- They may not work, which means someone could still get pregnant.
- They may contain harmful substances that can cause poisoning, organ damage, allergic reactions, or even death.
- They are made in unsafe conditions and not properly tested.
Because of this, NAFDAC is warning people not to buy Postinor 2 except from trusted pharmacies or licensed healthcare providers.
What NAFDAC Is Doing
- NAFDAC officials across Nigeria have been told to search for and remove the fake products from shops.
- Investigations are ongoing to find out who is bringing these fake drugs into the country.
What You Should Do
- Always check medicine labels carefully before use.
- Only buy medicines from licensed pharmacies.
- Report any fake drugs or strange side effects to NAFDAC:
- Call: 0800-162-3322
- Email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng
- Visit: www.nafdac.gov.ng
- Or use the Med-Safety App (on Android and iOS).
Final Warning
NAFDAC says counterfeit (fake) medicines are illegal, unsafe, and untested. Nigerians must stay alert, because only by working together can fake and dangerous drugs be stopped.
This notice will also be shared with the World Health Organization (WHO) to alert other countries.
