The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, on Friday said the Federal Government is working to minimise fake condoms and other items in the Nigerian market.
He stated this during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
“There are things that should not be in our system that actors may find ways to compromise and those are the minority,” he said.
“Over the years, we have seen a reduction in those kinds of things making it. Somebody may hide in their room, create something that is substandard and get it into the market. That is what we are trying to the barest minimum.”
The minister’s assurance comes after the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) has raised an alarm on the circulation of an unregistered condom called Foula condoms.
NAFDAC in a statement on Thursday said the product, which is usually packed in 3s, was discovered in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital and in Zango, Kastina State.
NAFDAC said the discovery was made by the officials of the post-marketing Surveillance Directorate (PMS) while carrying out 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 labelling of the product is not in the English Language,” the statement read.
“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. To be most effective, any barrier method used for contraception or preventing infection must be used correctly.”
It stated that 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,” NAFDAC stated.
