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Wednesday, February 28, 2001 - Web posted at 8:25:16 AM GMT Skin lighteners trashed HEALTH and Customs officials in the North recently confiscated a large amount of medicinal creams and soaps smuggled into Namibia from countries such as Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia. The illegal medicines, valued at N$50 000, were burnt at Oshakati last week. Most of these medicinal creams and soaps, many of which are used to lighten the skin, are being sold at open markets in towns such as Oshakati, Ondangwa, Oshikango, Outapi and others. Last week health officials invited people to come to Oshakati's open market to view the confiscated items and hear about the dangers of using them. Before incinerating the creams and soaps, the chief pharmacist in the North West Health Directorate, Msafiri Kweba, warned people not to buy such items as they can damage the skin because some contain harmful substances such as steroids and hydroquinone. He said the selling of such treatments in shops and at markets is illegal, because they should only be handled by authorised health personnel. Kweba said qualified health professionals are supposed to ensure that medicines do not deteriorate in transit or during storage." "Medicines bought on the street may have lost their effectiveness or have even developed harmful by-products," Kweba emphasised. Creams and soaps such as Movate, Diproson, Butone, Mekako, Shirley Skin Lightening Cream, Jaribu, and Clobetasol when used for prolonged periods may cause problems such as skin thinning and bruising particularly on the face and on skin surfaces that rub on each other. This can result in permanent scarring and secondary infections, while the skin can lose its pigment and become unable to protect itself against harmful rays from the sun. In Namibia - with its hot and sunny conditions - this is especially dangerous and may cause skin cancer." "Potent steroids, as contained in some of these creams can cause serious effects when absorbed into the body through the skin - these include decreased resistance to infection, wounds taking long to heal, the weakening of bones and high blood pressure, while some of the creams and soaps contain mercury which when absorbed through damaged or inflamed skin may cause damage to the kidneys" Kweba said. |
PO Box 20783 - Windhoek - 42 John Meinert Street Tel: +264 (61) 236970 - Fax: +264 (61) 233980 e-mail: info@namibian.com.na webmaster@namibian.com.na
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