Worried About Buying Fake Postinor? Here are 2 Alternatives That Work

When it comes to emergency contraceptives, the only thing that should be fake is either your confidence approaching the counter or your voice, for the fear of being identified if you’re a shy person. But, here, in our beloved country, Nigeria, where the birth rate is high (but also declining), the fake version of Postinor 2, one of Nigeria’s most commonly used emergency contraceptive pills, is flooding the market.

NAFDAC received a report from the Society of Family Health (SFH) and the Marketing Authorisation Holder (MAH), which confirmed that their company did not import the two types of counterfeit products in circulation.

Whether you’re buying from a pharmacy, an online store, or a roadside vendor, knowing how to spot counterfeit Postinor can protect your health and peace of mind. Here are a few ways to recognise fake Postinor 2 pills before your wallet, and more importantly, your health, pays the price.

Check out the pin verification sticker. On the fakes, the text is tiny, with some words, such as “Verify,” misspelled as "Veify." At the back of the pack, the word “Distributed” is also misspelt as "Distnibuted.” 

Although the type 2 of the counterfeit product doesn’t have these same misspellings, the packaging looks entirely different. On the authentic ones, the texts are bigger and clearer. 

Also, look for clear, bold printing on the box. The fake ones often have blurry texts or faded logos. The green Postinor leaf logo should be sharp, not smudged.

The original product details differ significantly from those of counterfeit products, as shown in the table below. 

• Original Postinor 2 Product Details

• Fake Postinor 2 Product Details - Type 1

• Fake Product Details - Type 2

In Nigeria, every original Postinor must carry a NAFDAC registration number on the packaging. To check the authenticity of the products: 

• Check the number on the packaging on NAFDAC Verify.
  

• Use the SMS method:
  

  • Send NAFDAC Reg. No to 38353.
    

  • You’ll get a reply confirming if it’s genuine.

If there’s no NAFDAC number or it doesn’t verify, don’t use it.

Original Postinor pills are round, smooth, and well-pressed, while the counterfeits often look chalky or uneven. If the pill crumbles easily, it’s likely fake.

The scratch panel is there for this reason. Postinor packs, fake or original, have a scratch-off panel for authentication. Gently scratch the panel to reveal a code.

• Verify it on mPedigree or scan using their mobile app.
  

• If the code fails, avoid using the product.

Now that you are aware of the signs of fake Postinor 2, it’s also important to know the warnings. 

Postinor 2 contains 0.75mg of Levanorgestrel as an active ingredient. The counterfeit version of this product is likely to contain improper dosages of the active ingredient, other harmful ingredients, and be produced under unhygienic conditions.

This poses a significant health risk to users, such as ineffectiveness, which may put you at risk of unwanted pregnancy, potential long-term reproductive health issues, allergic reactions, organ damage, or even death. 

It's best to always buy Postinor from licensed pharmacies or trusted online pharmacies, such as HealthPlus or Medplus.

To reduce your risk, buy from verified sources only:

If you're worried about taking fake Postinor 2 pills and their consequences, here are safer and effective alternatives and where to buy them in Nigeria. 

Also known as the morning-after pill, postpill contains the hormone Levonorgestrel that prevents or delays ovulation or interferes with fertilisation to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex.

A single post-pill package contains two tablets, but you should take only one tablet (1.5mg of levonorgestrel) immediately after unprotected sex or 12 hours after, but no later than 72 hours (3 days).

Back-Up is an effective and hard-working single-pill emergency contraceptive by MSI Nigeria Reproductive Choices that prevents or delays ovulation by up to 72 hours.

Staying informed is your best bet. Always verify before you buy, use trusted pharmacies, and prioritise your health over cheap deals.