NAFDAC alerts public on expired hand sanitisers, others

National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Director-General, Dr. Paul Orhii, Tuesday lamented that some unscrupulous businessmen have turned the country into a dumping ground by bringing in all sorts of products including expired hand sanitisers. Speaking at a press briefing on NAFDAC’s activities, he said: You are quite aware that in the last couple of weeks, the public has been subjected to psychological trauma as a result of the unfortunate incidence of the Ebola Virus Disease epidemic. It is however, heartwarming that as a result of the exemplary and pragmatic leadership of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan through the Honorable Minister of Health, the Ebola Virus Disease has been successfully contained, to the admiration of the global community and the world press. Therefore, having overcome these initial challenges there is the need to continue to follow the necessary guidelines to stop the transmission of the deadly disease. The key steps include hand washing with soap and /or detergent, and the use of hand sanitizers in addition to personal hygiene and good environmental health practices. However, it is worrisome to observe that some unscrupulous businessmen have turned the country into a dumping ground by bringing in all sorts of products including expired hand sanitisers. Consequently, NAFDAC officers at all entry points, the Seaports, Airports and the Land borders have been put on the alert to check this ugly trend. So far, we have quarantined one hundred and four (104) brands that were illegally imported into the country without certification by NAFDAC. The NAFDAC boss said the most troubling is the case of an Onitsha trader (names withheld) who imported expired brands of hand sanitisers through NAHCO, Lagos. Product Expiry date Soft care Natural29/12/2012 Soft care Lemon29/12/2012 Soft care Lavender29/12/2012 Soft care Apple  29/12/2012

Guardian Newspaper