The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted the public to the distribution of suspected counterfeit and unregistered Colgate toothpaste in Nigeria.
NAFDAC disclosed that its Post-Marketing Surveillance (PMS) Directorate received a complaint regarding the sale of the products in Kaduna State.
“Upon investigation, a team of PMS officers visited the outlet where the products were being sold. They discovered two suspected unregistered and counterfeit Colgate toothpaste products, branded as Coglaet ActivGel 100g and Coglaet Herbal 100g, available for sale.
“The shop owner informed the team that the products were purchased from a door-to-door sales representative; however, no proof of purchase was provided. These products have not met the required regulatory standards for registration and quality assurance, thereby posing a potential risk to public health and safety,” the agency said.
NAFDAC also revealed that the products were removed from the shop and that investigations are ongoing to track the distributors of the unregistered and counterfeit items.
The details of the counterfeit products are as follows:
Product Photo
The regulatory body directed its zonal directors and state coordinators to conduct surveillance and mop up any unregistered and counterfeit products found within their jurisdictions.
NAFDAC advised distributors, retailers, and consumers to exercise caution and vigilance throughout the supply chain to avoid the distribution, sale, and use of counterfeit products. It also urged consumers to check the authenticity and physical condition of products before use.
NAFDAC further advised consumers to report any suspected sale of substandard, falsified, or counterfeit regulated products to its nearest office, by calling 08001623322 or via email at sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.
The agency equally encouraged healthcare professionals and patients to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of counterfeit products to its nearest office through the e-reporting platforms available on www.nafdac.gov.ng, via the Med Safety application available for download on Android and iOS stores, or via email at pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng.
