The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has vowed to rid the markets and stores of manufacturers and sellers of unapproved bleaching creams causing skin cancer and other damages.
The agency said it will begin its enforcement with cosmetic stores and makers of bleaching creams, who use unapproved and excessive actives.
Noting that more men than women patronise and use bleaching creams, NAFDAC warned Nigerians against use of unapproved products. It listed the damaging effects of such deadly products: aging, kidney and nervous system, cancers, skin infections, increase dependence on the creams, and unwanted and untreatable discolouration.
The agency spoke at a workshop organised by NAFDAC, in collaboration with Association of Nigeria Health Journalists (ANHEJ). Acting Director-General, Dr. Monica Eimunjeze, said: “We will be moving to full enforcement. We have Nigerians on notice.
We have had some operations in the past, but there have been a few. Enforcement will commence in cosmetic stores because you walk into a cosmetic store and see prescription medicines offered up for sale as cosmetics.”
