Donald Lukele
Medicines for skin asthma and fungi are being misused by some people for skin bleaching, government authorities have warned, saying it is dangerous to health.
These authorities also reported facing challenges in controlling the unauthorized sale, transportation, and entry of medicines and illegal cosmetics into the country due to the clandestine nature of this trade.
Athumani Kissumo, a Quality Control Officer at the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), stated that cosmetics have their definition as per the Standards Act, which was amended in 2019 after some responsibilities of the Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA) were transferred to TBS.
ReadMore:Call for Government Action on Mental Health and Productivity
He mentioned that harmful cosmetics, which are banned in the country, continue to be smuggled, sold, and used illegally through unofficial routes like unregistered ports and fuel trucks.
“A cosmetic is anything used to apply, spray, perfume, or pour on the body for the purpose of beautifying, cleansing, and altering appearance without affecting the natural appearance.
“Cosmetics are not intended to treat diseases or alter body structures. The purpose of a cosmetic is to beautify and should not be associated with altering body structures or preventing diseases; this is the legal concept,” says Kissumo.
He added that these cosmetics have standards according to the user’s needs, and those aiming to treat or alter body structures change the definition of a cosmetic to that of a medicine.
“The Bureau ensures cosmetics are regulated according to international, regional, and other organizations’ standards.
“But you may find a cosmetic already on the market. Recently, we heard of a fuel truck carrying cosmetics,” he says.
Emmanuel Alphonce, Inspection and Drug Control Manager at the Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA), mentioned that if someone experiences adverse effects from using a cosmetic, they collaborate with TBS to identify the product type in the market.
“When we identify a problem, we stop its use and notify the public through the media. Many drug side effects are scientifically documented, indicating that using such a drug will cause certain discomforts.
“Public education is essential; some people use skin asthma and antifungal drugs to lighten their skin,” said Alphonce.
Senior Standards Officer at TBS, Alexander Mashalla, stated that the procedure for receiving complaints about products that have affected consumers is conducted through different means so that action can be taken.
Glory David, a Nutrition Officer from the Tanzania Food and Nutrition Center (TFNC), mentioned that excessive weight affects people with a high body fat percentage compared to their age, gender, and height.
“Besides using weight-loss drugs, there are factors to consider with a doctor’s advice and lifestyle. You can lose weight with these drugs but later revert to the original state,” cautioned Glory.
Human Doctor Fredrick Mashili mentioned that cosmetics that change skin color to white contain steroids, which are gaining popularity and disrupting the hormonal system in the body.
“When a person starts using these cosmetics, it causes their body to stop producing hormones. Steroids are hormones that help maintain body balance without excessive increase.
“And women largely experience skin cracks, which result from illegal use of steroids,” he warned.
Professor Wilbroad Kalala, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at Kampala International University (KIU), mentioned that in their research on cosmetics up to the skin brightening stage, they found that the steroids in these cosmetics thin the skin and pose health risks.
“The belief in the community that a fair-skinned woman is beautiful has led some women to start using cosmetics that adversely affect fertility,” warned Prof. Kalala.
He added: “A person using dangerous cosmetics, if involved in an accident, is difficult to suture because these cosmetics interfere with the skin’s natural melanin function.”
It¦s really a nice and useful piece of info. I am satisfied that you shared this useful info with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.