Meneja, mawasiliano uhusiano wa umma wa mamlaka ya chakula na dawa nchini (TFDA), Gaudensia Simwanza akiwaelimisha wananchi madhara yatokanayo na kutumia vipodozi vilivyopigwa marufuku na serikali kuwa na viambata vya sumu kama vile hydroquinone, mercury, steroids na chloroform walipotembelea banda hilo wakati wa maadhimisho ya wiki ya unywaji wa maziwa yaliyofanyika kitaifa mkoani Njombe wiki iliyopita. (Picha na Friday Simbaya)
Njombe: Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA) said, in order to avoid and prevent the health hazards brought by using counterfeit drugs, food and cosmetics, there is a need for community participation in the anti–fake goods drive.
The statement was made recently by TFDA Manager, Communication and Public Relations, Gaudensia Simwanza in an interview with the SIMBAYABLOG during National Milk Day celebrations held at national level in Njombe region.
Happy National Milk Day! Today we commemorate the day when milk started being delivered in sterilized glass bottles way back in 1878. Milk (which has nine essential nutrients) is used to create a wide variety of other dairy products, like cheese, yogurt, sour cream, butter, and ice cream.
Simwanza said people should not use cosmetics which contain prohibited ingredients like hydroquinone, mercury, steroids and chloroform just to mention a few, they were dangerous to their health.
She said their a lot illegal cosmetics, foods and drugs that are imported into the country by unfaithful dealers through dubious means but without collective joint effort with community and other stakeholders the TFDA alone cannot manage.
She said in order to have win-win situation in the fight against counterfeits in the country then community should be fully involved in the drive.
“This makes it very important that there is a need for TFDA to intensify its efforts in the anti-counterfeit drug drive eradication. As TFDA tasks herself dutifully in fighting the problem, more challenges come up from unscrupulous drug dealers who sometimes have the backing of tycoons making the stipulated drug laws and standards unattainable,” she said.
She added that counterfeit trade is a global war hitting the developing world, including Tanzania; therefore, the public should be fully involved in the battle to ensure a healthy nation.
The supply chains in fake pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and food become more global and complicated, and tracking system becomes more critical.
It is encouraging to note that TFDA has put in place mechanisms to protect and promote public health by ensuring quality, safety and effectiveness of food, drugs, cosmetics and medical devices through voluntary adverse drug reaction reporting system and active surveillance system.
