The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted the public to the presence of an unregistered brand of condoms in Nigerian market.
In a statement, the agency said that Foula brand of condoms is not registered for use in Nigeria, and that the situation is compounded by the fact that the labeling of the product is not in the English Language.
The condoms were discovered in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State and Zango, Katsina State, during a Risk-Based Post Marketing Surveillance study on registered condoms in Nigeria.
The statement reads, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is alerting the public about the illegal sale and distribution of an unregistered brand of condoms in Nigeria: Foula Condoms.
“Officials from the Post-Marketing Surveillance (PMS) directorate discovered Foula condoms (packaged in threes) in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, and Zango, Katsina State. This discovery was made during a Risk-Based Post Marketing Surveillance study on registered condoms in Nigeria.
“The condom is not registered by NAFDAC for use in Nigeria, and the labeling of the product is not in English Language.
“Condoms are a proven effective barrier method that can be used as a dual-purpose method for both prevention of unintended pregnancy and protection against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). To be most effective, any barrier method used for contraception or preventing infection must be used correctly.
“The illegal distribution or sale of unregistered condoms poses a risk as the safety, quality, and efficacy of the products are not guaranteed. 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. If condoms leak or break, they cannot offer adequate protection.”
