By Biola Lawal
Abuja (Flowerbudnews): NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Christiana Adeyeye has warned Nigerians to beware of four products found to contain steroids and banned substances injurious to human health.
Prof. Adeyeye gave the warning in a public notice issued by NAFDAC on the the implicated potent medicinal ingredients which may cause severe side effects on consumers, including muscular and bone disorders.
She disclosed that NAFDAC was notified of the dangerous products by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) of Singapore, which confirmed that four consumers experienced adverse effects after taking three of the products.
The NAFDAC Boss said that the potent medicinal ingredients used in the implicated products were not allowed as they could cause severe side effects on consumers.
Prof Adeyeye said that Labouratory analysis conducted by HSA – Singapore on the products revealed that they contained potent medicinal ingredients, including steroids, sibutramine (a banned weight loss medicine) and tadalafil (an erectile dysfunction medicine).
She listed Information on the implicated products as follows:
Further details of the products as provided by HSA are as follows; Product Name Potent medicinal ingredients
Source ‘ENRU PLUS+’Sibutramine (banned substance)Local e-commerce and social media platforms ‘HKT HERBA KURUS
TRADISI’ Sibutramine (banned substance)
Local e-commerce platforms ‘PILL HUA LUO CIN TAN Dexamethasone, Diclofenac, Prednisolone (potent steroids)
Local e-commerce platform; also bought overseas from Malaysia ‘Spinach GINSENG HERB SUGAR’ Tadalafil (potent anti-impotency
medicine).
Parcel post detained by Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) (Singapore).
Possible Adverse Effects of Potent Ingredients Found in the Products Dexamethasone and Prednisolone. Dexamethasone and prednisolone are potent steroids that are usually prescribed for inflammatory conditions and should only be used under strict medical supervision.
Long-term unsupervised use of steroids can cause increased blood glucose levels (which may lead to diabetes), high blood pressure, cataracts, muscular and bone disorders.
It can also cause an increased risk of infections and Cushing’s syndrome (a round or ‘moon face’ appearance and upper body obesity with thin limbs).
Discontinuation of steroids without proper medical supervision can cause serious withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, confusion and low blood pressure.
Diclofenac: Diclofenac is a potent painkiller that may potentially cause serious gastric bleeding, as well as cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and stroke when used for a prolonged period.
Diclofenac should be used under close medical supervision, especially in consumers with underlying heart conditions.
Sibutramine: Sibutramine was a prescription-only medicine for weight loss but has been banned in Singapore since 2010 because of an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Other serious adverse effects including fast heart rate, hallucinations or hearing voices have also been reported by consumers who took slimming products adulterated with sibutramine.
Tadalafil: Tadalafil is a prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction that should only be given under medical supervision.
Inappropriate use of tadalafil is dangerous and can increase the risk of serious adverse effects, including heart attack, stroke, headache, migraine, irregular heart rate and priapism (painful and exceedingly long erections).
Tadalafil can also pose serious risks to certain individuals, including those with heart-related problems.
It can cause potentially life-threatening low blood pressure in those who are on heart medications, especially those containing nitrates.
PHOTOS OF PRODUCTS TESTED BY HSA
‘ENRU PLUS+’ ‘HKT HERBA KURUS TRADISI’
‘PILL HUA LUO CINTAN ‘Spinach GINSENG HERB SUGAR’
Prof. Adeyeye said that though the products were not in NAFDAC database, importers, distributors, retailers and consumers are advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale and use of the above mentioned product.
She counselled that ”the product authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked. Members of the public in possession of any of the products should discontinue sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office”.
The NAFDAC Boss urged Healthcare professionals and consumers to report adverse events experienced with the use of the products to the nearest NAFDAC office, via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng,
E-reporting platforms available at www.nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med- safety application for download on android and IOS stores, she stated. (Flowerbudnews)
About Flowerbudnews
Established by Hon. Biola Lawal, a former Acting Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Flowerbudnews is a consortium of active journalists, media veterans and image makers in both public and private sectors of Nigeria’s media Industry determined to enhance the practice of responsible journalism.
Lawal, on his part, is also a former Honourable Commissioner for Information,Youth, Sports and Culture of Osun state, his home state.
Biola Lawal had also successfully served two tenures as Press Secretary to the ECOMOG Force Commander in Liberia during the Liberian and Sierra Leone Civil wars.
Lawal holds the honour of being the only journalist that served two terms on the ECOMOG international assignment due to his high professionalism and decency)
