Ugandans who have been using emergency pregnancy control pills have a reason to worry after it has been discovered that some of them are fake and may not serve the intended purpose.
National Drug Authority (NDA) has confirmed that the counterfeit Postinor2® is already circulating on the Ugandan market. Postinor2® is largely used to prevent pregnancies during and after sex.
The Authority says that counterfeit Postinor2® has batch No. T62788B whose manufactured date is 02/2016 and expiring date 02/2021 and batch No. T5934T, whose manufactured is 09/2015 and expiring date 09/2020.
However, there are genuine versions of this product having the same batch numbers.
“Please note that there are genuine versions of Postinor2® on the market bearing the same batch numbers, manufacturing and expiring dates, which was legally imported by Healthcare Pharmacy,” a statement signed off by Donna Kusemererwa, NDA’s Secretary reads in part.
NDA adds that there a few disguising features between the counterfeit and genuine Postinor2®. For example, the headings of various sections of information leaflet are bolded for the genuine product, while those of the counterfeit one are not bolded.
“All pharmacies are advised to exercise caution and vigilance while handling medicines and to report any illegal suppliers of medicine to NDA offices,” NDA statement further reads, adding: “Pharmacies which have the suspected counterfeit product are advised to hand over the products to NDA.”
The authority warns that pharmacies found with the Postinor2® will be prosecuted.
In a related development, the Authority says there are drugs disguised as cosmetics on market and these can be harmful to one’s health.
Fredrick Ssekyana, the NDA Spokesperson says products such as Damovaate Cream, Epiderm Cream, Skin Success Gel, Peau Claire and Skin Balance Cream among others are supposed to be prescribed by qualified medical personnel.
