The seizure of counterfeit Durex condoms from a pharmacy near Shewrapara Metro Station has exposed what officials describe as a much larger underground market of fake and unapproved contraceptives, raising fears that thousands of consumers may be relying on products that offer little protection against unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.
Investigators say the problem extends far beyond counterfeit versions of internationally known brands.
According to government officials and market sources, nearly 190 condom brands are currently being sold across Bangladesh, but only around 57 have received approval from the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA).
The rest are either unregistered, untested or have bypassed regulatory scrutiny altogether.
Health experts warn that the widespread availability of such products could undermine decades of progress in family planning and disease prevention.
The latest alarm was triggered on May 22 when authorities seized fake condoms bearing the Durex brand name during a raid at a pharmacy near Shewrapara Metro Station in Dhaka.
Officials believe the counterfeit products are part of a larger network.
Muhammad Hasanuzzaman, assistant director of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, said a group has been importing low-cost, unbranded condoms from China and India before repackaging them locally under the names of established international brands.
“Previously, Durex condoms were imported officially. After imports stopped, some groups took advantage of the situation,” he said.
“These cheap products are being repackaged and sold under well-known brand names at much higher prices.”
Authorities suspect similar operations may be active in multiple locations.
Hasanuzzaman said a comparable facility had earlier been identified and shut down in Savar, while investigations are underway to identify those involved in the latest operation.
The discovery has also highlighted major gaps in market oversight.
Retailers say they often struggle to distinguish genuine products from counterfeit ones.
A pharmacy owner in Shewrapara said suppliers regularly offer inexpensive condom brands with attractive profit margins, making it difficult for small retailers to verify authenticity or regulatory approval.
Public health specialists say the consequences can be severe.
Unlike approved products that undergo laboratory testing, counterfeit and unapproved condoms may contain manufacturing defects, poor-quality latex, inadequate lubrication and microscopic holes that compromise effectiveness.
Such defects can allow sperm and disease-causing pathogens to pass through, increasing the risk of unintended pregnancies as well as infections including HIV, syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, genital herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B and C.
Officials at the DGDA said approved condom brands must undergo laboratory testing and submit safety documentation, including certification from the country of origin.
However, enforcement remains a challenge.
Last year, authorities seized large quantities of unapproved condoms from Dhaka’s Mitford area.
Investigators found that some traders were importing low-cost products made from old or substandard latex before repackaging them for local sale.
Health experts warn that the growing circulation of counterfeit contraceptives represents more than a regulatory problem.
Beyond the immediate risks of pregnancy and infection, repeated product failures could erode public confidence in condoms themselves, one of the most widely used and cost-effective tools for family planning and disease prevention.
As authorities expand investigations into the counterfeit Durex case, public health specialists are calling for tougher market surveillance, stricter enforcement and greater consumer awareness to prevent unsafe products from reaching pharmacy shelves.
They warn that unless the illicit trade is brought under control, consumers may be left unknowingly trusting products that fail at the moment they are needed most.
