The Upper East Regional Office of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has issued a caution regarding a specific version of Postinor 2, a drug commonly used for emergency contraception. According to Mr. Abel Ndego, Principal Regulatory Officer of the FDA, the version in question, which features a pink flower label on the packaging, is not registered with the Authority.
"While Postinor 2 is widely known and trusted for pregnancy prevention, this particular version with the pink flower has not undergone the necessary FDA registration process," Mr. Ndego explained. As a result, the FDA cannot guarantee its safety or effectiveness, as it has not been subjected to the regulatory body's rigorous evaluation procedures.
Additionally, Mr. Ndego revealed that the FDA had conducted quality tests on this unapproved version and found that the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API), which is essential for preventing pregnancy, did not meet the required standards. "This means that if used, the product may not provide the intended contraceptive effect," he warned during the launch of the Goodlife Health Fair in Bolgatanga.
The three-day health fair, organized by the Regional Health Directorate in collaboration with the Northern Sector Action on Awareness Centre (NORSAAC), was part of the USAID Accelerating Social and Behavior Change (ASBC) initiative. The event aimed to promote public health by encouraging positive health behaviors and improving access to essential healthcare services. The theme for the fair was “Promoting Good Health through Uptake of Positive Health Behaviour.”
In his address, Mr. Ndego urged the public to purchase pharmaceutical products only from accredited, licensed pharmacies or over-the-counter sale outlets. "By doing so, you can be confident that you are buying approved and properly stored products," he said. He also highlighted the critical role proper storage plays in maintaining the efficacy of medicines.
"Storage conditions are crucial to a medicine’s effectiveness. Some medicines, especially those that require refrigeration, can lose their potency if not stored properly," he noted. He further advised against storing children’s syrup medications on kitchen shelves, as the heat could render them ineffective.
At the health fair, FDA officials displayed various unregulated pharmaceutical products to raise awareness of their potential dangers. Mr. Ndego pointed out that many such products falsely claim to cure a wide range of ailments, even though they have not been approved by the FDA.
He showcased one unregistered product bearing obscene images of male genitalia, which purported to enhance sexual performance. "The packaging alone should be a red flag, as the FDA would never approve products with such explicit imagery. These products pose serious health risks," he cautioned, urging the public to be vigilant and avoid falling prey to these dangerous, unregulated products.
In summary, the FDA's warning about the unapproved version of Postinor 2 with the pink flower label underscores the importance of purchasing medications from licensed outlets and being aware of potential health risks from unregistered products.
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