Nigerians have been cautioned by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) regarding the spread of an unregistered condom brand called Foula Condoms. According to the agency, Foula condoms, which come in threes, were discovered in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, and Zango, Katsina State, by personnel from the Post-Marketing Surveillance directorate. This discovery was made whilst conducting a risk-based post-marketing surveillance research on registered condoms in the Nigerian market. The agency noted that there are further safety issues as the Foula brand of condoms is not registered for use in Nigeria and the product’s label is not in English.
As this brand of condom is being distributed without the necessary regulatory oversight, the agency issued a warning that raises severe questions about its efficacy, safety, and quality. This development emphasizes how important it is to use only certified items in order to avert health risks and demonstrate NAFDAC’s ongoing efforts to protect public health. Although condoms are a vital approach for preventing unwanted pregnancies and protecting against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, the agency pointed out that in order to guarantee their safety and effectiveness, they must be certified and meet quality criteria.
Additional surveillance activity is being conducted.
Purchasing and using subpar condoms will negatively impact all aspects of condom marketing, including preventing unwanted pregnancy and protecting against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. To curtail the situation, the agency has directed state coordinators and zonal directors to remove unregistered items from distribution channels nationwide and to carry out additional surveillance. NAFDAC advises importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare providers, and consumers to be cautious and vigilant to prevent importing, distributing, selling, and using products that are illegally distributed in the supply chain. Additionally, NAFDAC advises that all medical products must be purchased from approved suppliers.
To aid with the agency’s enforcement activities, NAFDAC has also urged customers to report any observations of Foula condoms and other dubious products. The agency hopes to develop a more observant consumer base that will assist its purpose of protecting Public Health by enlisting the public to check for products that have not been certified. This recent public alert not only serves as a public health warning but also as a reminder of how crucial it is to confirm the legitimacy of consumable goods. Condoms are not the only unregistered health product concern; other areas of Nigeria’s health market are also affected by the larger issue of counterfeit and subpar products.
Public informed to only purchase registered products.
Unauthorized products, ranging from drugs to medical equipment, can put lives in jeopardy and strain the healthcare system. Just recently, the agency issued a public alert on the sale of unregistered Simbrinza Eye Drop 10mg/ml + 2mg/ml (Brinzolamide + Brimonidine) in Nigeria. It has also cracked down on counterfeit cosmetics in Abuja, which resulted in the confiscation of illicit products worth ₦37 million. NAFDAC, a major force in Nigerian public health, charged with the responsibility of regulating consumables such as food, medications, and medical equipment, has intensified its efforts to rid the market of counterfeit and illegally imported cosmetics products
Alongside enforcement operations, NAFDAC has increased public awareness programs to enlighten Nigerians about the dangers of unregistered items. The agency is dedicated to educating the public about the significance of solely purchasing NAFDAC-registered products through Social Media and partnerships with community health organizations. This campaign stresses that a product’s correct registration indicates that it has undergone stringent safety and quality inspections, giving customers some degree of confidence regarding its efficacy. The agency is also collaborating closely with Healthcare Providers to disseminate this message as medical facilities are frequently seen as reliable information sources by the general public.
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It was emphasized that Consumer engagement is crucial to accomplishing NAFDAC’s goal of identifying and eliminating unregistered products from the market. A safer market for health products can be established by combining regulatory actions with well-informed consumer choices. This will lower public health risks and increase confidence in Nigeria’s regulatory framework. By following NAFDAC’s guidance and only purchasing registered items, Nigerians help create a safer and healthier society where everyone has access to dependable protection.