Watch Out!: Fake Sanitary Pads On Sale

The Food and Drugs Board has warned women to be wary of fake sanitary pads on the market since their use poses a threat to their health. Use of those pads could lead to infection and affect a woman’s ability to have children, the board said. Addressing the media yesterday, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the FDB, Rev. Jonathan Martey, named some of the fake brands as All Easy, All One and Smart Lady sanitary pads. "Our market survey has shown that somebody has introduced other products with similar colours, presentation and markings as those of Forever Easy pad; one of the legally registered pads," he said. He described them as fake since no test had been done on them by the board and they imitate the packaging of a legally recognised one. He said sanitary pads are delicate products that are used at that part of the woman linked to her reproductive organ, and they therefore require a series of tests to authenticate their safety and quality before being allowed on the market. Rev. Martey explained that the use of infected pads could lead to cervical cancer thereby affecting the womb of the woman and rendering her barren. He further warned women not to buy sanitary pads in singles but rather in bulk or in a pack. The practice where the pads are removed from the packaging and sold in singles is dangerous as they could be contaminated through handling and poor storage. He also warned nursing mothers not to patronise Teether Syrup, a syrup for babies with teething problem, as it has been faked to sound like TEDAR, manufactured by Ayrton Drugs Pharmaceuticals. The label of the fake Teether syrup has the name of the manufacturer as Gratia Chemist Limited, and is supposed to be located in Kumasi. Other faked products that have been impounded by the board include an imitation Accurate, a pregnancy testing kit and Médical Tooth paste. Although these products have been registered with the board, the fake ones have the same resemblance but do not have its identification number. In the case of Accurate, the fake does not have the FBD registration number and colours on the package are lighter. That notwithstanding, the FDB boss admitted that "it is very difficult to differentiate between the two products." Rev. Martey said a test run on the fake toothpaste showed it contains a substance that is injurious to human health. Rev. Martey who is also the Deputy Director in charge of drugs, said even though it is its responsibility to ensure that foods and medicines on the market are of good quality and safe for human consumption, "consumers must also take the responsibility to check that the products have been certified by the board." He deplored the lack of professionalism among some health workers particularly pharmacists, some of who have been found with counterfeit drugs on their shelves. He said if every professional in the country would exhibit some professionalism in their work, it would go a long way to solve the menace of counterfeit goods on the market. Rev. Martey called for vigilance on the part of consumers to always cross-check the genuineness of drugs or food products with the board "when you are in doubt". As part of measures to stem the menace, he said the board will soon publish the names of certified drugs and food products in the media to guide consumers.