NAFDAC raises the alarm on fake Dettol soap…urges healthcare professionals, consumers to report substandard products
The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDA) has raised the alarm on the ongoing sale of a fake soap labelled as “Dettol Health Fresh Soap” in the market.
The Agency which alerted Nigerians to the dangers of the fake product, especially skin irritation, on its website on Thursday, noted that the manufacturer of Dettol Antiseptic products had confirmed that the soap is fake since it does not have any product by the name “Dettol Health Fresh Soap.”
“The Marketing Authorisation Holder 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 statement said.
It added: q“The MAH has confirmed that the product is fake as they do not have any product by the name “Dettol Health Fresh Soap”. Dettol Antiseptic products are widely used in Nigeria for household disinfection and personal hygiene to prevent illnesses from germs (bacterial infection),” it said.
It added that details of the complaint product were not provided by the complainant except for the name of the product “Dettol Health Fresh Soap.”
The agency noted that the illegal marketing of NAFDAC-regulated products or fake products posed a risk to people’s health.
It added that since they did not comply with the regulatory provisions, the products’ safety, quality and efficacy were not guaranteed.
The statement added that all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators had been mandated to carry out surveillance and mop up the fake product from the market if found within the zones and states.
Determined to phase out the fake product from the market, NAFDAC noted: “Importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, caregivers, and consumers are 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 authorised/licensed suppliers. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.
Also poised on guiding against circulation of substandard products, the Agency stressed.
“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.
With a view to addressing side effects of fake medicinal products, NAFDAC said:
“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”
