The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cautioned that the use of bleaching creams is a significant cause of cancer, permanent skin aging, and other health challenges such as prolonged wound healing and damage to vital organs.
NAFDAC Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this at a media sensitization workshop in Port Harcourt. The workshop focused on the dangers of bleaching creams and the regulatory control of these products.
Adeyeye, who was represented by the Director of Chemical Evaluation and Research, Dr. Leonard Omokpariola, emphasized the urgent need for a multi-faceted regulatory approach to tackle the menace of bleaching creams in Nigeria.
The NAFDAC boss also noted that a World Health Organization (WHO) 2018 study revealed that the use of skin bleaching creams was highest among Nigerian women at 77 percent, with 59 percent in Togo, 35 percent in South Africa, and 27 percent in Senegal.
Director of Public Affairs at NAFDAC, Dr. Abubakar Jimoh, revealed that over 600 journalists have been trained in Nigeria on the dangers of bleaching creams. The agency plans to embark on raids and enforcement activities after sensitizing the public about the harmful effects of these products.
NAFDAC’s Acting South-South zonal director, Pharmacist Chike Obiano, applauded the Director-General’s efforts in organizing the successful media sensitization workshop. He also stressed the importance of educating the public on the dangers of bleaching creams and the need for strict regulatory control to protect public health.
The rise in the use of skin bleaching creams in Nigeria is a growing concern, and NAFDAC’s efforts to raise awareness about the risks associated with these products are critical. It is hoped that increased public education and regulatory control will lead to a reduction in the use of these dangerous products and protect the health of Nigerians