The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has alerted Nigerians to the circulation of fake Kiss Condoms in several major markets across the country.
The agency, in its public alert on its website, warned that the falsified products pose serious public health risks.
NAFDAC said the alert followed information received from DKT International Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation involved in contraceptive social marketing and the promotion of safe family planning and HIV/AIDS prevention services.
According to the agency, the counterfeit condoms have been sighted in major commercial centres, including Onitsha Market, Idumota Market, Trade Fair Market, as well as markets in Kano, Abuja, Uyo, Gombe, Enugu, and other locations nationwide.
According to an online portal, Cleveland Clinic, condoms are the only way to protect against sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV and herpes.
“As a barrier method of birth control, condoms stop sperm from reaching eggs. There are condoms for men and women, and dental dams for protection during oral sex. For more effective birth control, you can use condoms with contraceptive foam. They also greatly reduce the chance of pregnancy,” it stated.
Kiss Condom is a widely used brand of male latex condoms in Nigeria.
NAFDAC, in its alert, explained that investigations revealed noticeable differences between the original DKT Kiss condom packs and the fake products, beginning with the box packaging.
It added that while the genuine product carries detailed usage instructions, medical device information, storage guidelines, and a verifiable manufacturer’s address, the fake versions lack these details and often appear darker in colour.
The agency noted that some counterfeit boxes have plain white interiors without condom images, incomplete or incorrect manufacturer addresses, and missing caution and storage information, all of which are present in the authentic product.
Differences were also identified in the individual condom packs, it added.
NAFDAC stated that the original Kiss condom packs are light red with tightly arranged branding text, while fake packs are darker, have loosely spaced lettering, and longer condom strips than the genuine product.
The agency also observed further discrepancies in the wallet packaging.
It added that the genuine wallet carries detailed instructions, full medical device information, caution notes, and traceable barcodes, whereas the counterfeit wallets often lack these details, contain fewer usage notes, and show inconsistencies in barcode traceability.
NAFDAC said that the physical characteristics of the condoms themselves also differ, with fake condoms described as thinner, less lubricated, and having smaller teat ends compared to the original products, which are larger, well-lubricated, and properly shaped.
The agency warned that the use of fake condoms poses serious health risks, including breakage, infections, allergic reactions, and false protection against pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections due to poor quality control, lack of sterilisation, and absence of regulatory oversight.
“Distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers are advised to exercise caution and vigilance in the supply chain to prevent the distribution, sale, and use of falsified products.
“All medical products must be obtained from authorized/licensed suppliers. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.
“Healthcare professionals and consumers are advised to report any suspicion of the sale of substandard and falsified medicines or medical devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng,” the alert reads.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, one of the officials of the agency holding several packs of Kiss Condom said, “These condoms are donated by the USAID and UNFPA, condoms that expired since 2022. So it is revalidating and putting them into KISS packaging materials and extending the dates to 2027. So what you find in KISS all over the market are not KISS condoms, they are counterfeit versions of the expired donated condoms.”
