NAFDAC Warns of Health Risks Associated with Excessive Use of Skin-Lightening Creams in Nigeria

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has expressed grave concern over the use of bleaching creams in the country, which it said could lead to an increase in cancer cases. Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, spoke at the North-Central Zonal Media Sensitization Workshop on the Dangers of Bleaching Creams and Regulatory Control held in Jos, Plateau State. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) study, 77% of Nigerian women use skin bleaching creams, the highest rate in Africa compared to 59% in Togo, 35% in South Africa, and 27% in Senegal. Adeyeye stressed that this statistic has made the use of bleaching creams a national health emergency that requires a multi-faceted regulatory approach. Last year, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, wrote to NAFDAC to take stringent regulatory actions to address this issue. The agency has since taken steps such as public sensitization through different media outlets, enforcement through intelligence and raids in trade fair complexes that have resulted in large seizures and destruction of violative products. The sensitization workshop is a training the Trainers’ programme with the expectation that participants will become champions in the campaign against the use of bleaching creams. Adeyeye warned of the harmful effects of bleaching creams, including cancer, damage to vital organs of the body, skin irritation and allergy, skin burn and rashes, wrinkles, premature skin ageing, and prolong healing of wounds.