The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted the public of a fake product labelled as “Dettol Health Fresh Soap” in the market. According to the ‘Public Alert’ issued by the Agency on its website on Thursday, the product was reported to have caused skin irritation to a complainant.
“The Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH) and manufacturer (Reckitt Benckiser Nigeria Limited) of Dettol Antiseptic products, received a consumer complaint regarding the above-mentioned product.
“The product was reported to have caused skin irritation to the complainant.
“The MAH has confirmed that the product is fake as they do not have any product by the name “Dettol Health Fresh Soap”,” the agency said.
The Agency stated that Dettol Antiseptic products are widely used in Nigeria for household disinfection and personal hygiene to prevent illnesses from germs (bacterial infection).
It noted that illegal marketing of NAFDAC regulated products or fake products poses a risk to people’s health adding that by not complying with the regulatory provisions, the products’ safety, quality, and efficacy are not guaranteed.
The agency directed all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators to carry out surveillance and mop up the fake product if found within the zones and states.
“Importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, caregivers and consumers are hereby advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale and use of the fake product. 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 products to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.
“Similarly, healthcare professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of medicinal products or devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med- safety application available for download on android and IOS stores or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng
“Furthermore, note that this notice will be uploaded to the WHO Global Surveillance and Monitoring System (GSMS),” the agency noted.