THE National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cautioned Nigerians against the use of the drug — Weight Rapid Loss Capsule.
The caution was contained in an alert with No. 049/2022, signed by NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, issued journalists on Sunday in Abuja.
Adeyeye stated that the drug had potential to cause cancer.
The NAFDAC boss added that result of laboratory analysis showed that the drug, manufactured by Ingi Oman, contain banned substance “phenolphthalein”, which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recognised as unsafe.
She added that the capsule, being marketed as “the most effective weight loss supplement” and sold through social media platforms like Instagram, also contain microbial growth above permissible limits.
She stated that “phenolphthalein has been found to be toxic to genes, as it can cause damage or mutations in the DNA. Studies have also shown its potential carcinogenic risks.
“NAFDAC implores consumers to stop the purchase and use of the product.
“Members of the public in possession of the product should discontinue use or sale, and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.”
Adeyeye encouraged healthcare professionals and consumers to report any adverse effect experienced with the use of the product to the nearest NAFDAC office.
Consumers are also advised to report adverse effect via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng or E-reporting platforms available at www.nafdac.gov.ng.
The director-general urged the public to also report any incident concerning the use of the drug via the Med-safety application, which can be downloaded on android and IOS stores.
Meanwhile, he listed other sectors on which fewer complaints received and the numbers.
They include Telecommunications, with 605; E-commerce with 508; Electrical electronics with 415; Food and Beverages with 222; Satellite and Cable services with 122.
Also listed are, Postal and Courier service with 71; Road transport with 69; Land and Construction with 65; Real estate with 63; Health services with 52: Education with 29, among others.
He said that 3,327 complaints were resolved out of the total number of complaints that that were received by the commission.
“In the corresponding year, which was 2021, the commission received 10,178 complaints and resolved 1,990
“Financial services also topped the list with 2,736 complaints followed by electricity/power with 3043, telecommunications with 510, Aviation with 459 and Electrical/Electronic with 502,” he said.
NAN