Nigeria has been informed by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control that fraudulent soap bearing the name “Dettol Health Fresh Soap” is being sold in the market.
The maker of Dettol Antiseptic goods verified that the soap is phony, since there is no product by that name called “Dettol Health Fresh Soap,” according to the alert posted on NAFDAC’s website on Thursday.
“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 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 stated
It further stated that the complainant had just given the product’s name and had not supplied any other information about the complaint product.
The agency stated that the illicit marketing of counterfeit or NAFDAC-regulated goods puts public health at risk. Additionally, as these items do not adhere to legal requirements, there is no guarantee of their efficacy, safety, or quality.
It stated that all state coordinators and NAFDAC zonal directors have been instructed to conduct surveillance and remove any counterfeit goods that may be discovered inside their states or zones.
“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.”
“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”
