By Gabriel Ameh
The Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Weekenders Magazine, Princess Joy Omagha Idam, has called on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to urgently verify claims that some sanitary pads may contain harmful chemicals.
Princess Idam said the concerns warrant scientific investigation given the widespread use of sanitary pads by women and girls in Nigeria.
In a statement, she urged the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, to direct an independent laboratory assessment of sanitary pads available in the Nigerian market to determine whether they contain chemicals that could pose health risks to consumers.
According to her, the objective should not be to create panic or target manufacturers, but to establish the facts and provide Nigerians with reliable information about the safety of products used regularly by millions of women and girls.
“This is not about creating fear or attacking manufacturers. It is about protecting Nigerian women and girls and giving the public accurate information. NAFDAC must verify these claims and tell Nigerians the truth,” Princess Idam said.
She further called on NAFDAC to publish the findings of any investigation conducted and take appropriate regulatory measures if any sanitary product is found to fall below prescribed safety standards.
Princess Idam also appealed to manufacturers and importers of sanitary products to cooperate with any regulatory investigation, stressing that consumer health and safety should remain a priority.
She said a prompt and transparent verification process would help distinguish scientifically established facts from unverified claims and enable women, girls and families to make informed decisions about the sanitary products they use.
The Weekenders Magazine publisher maintained that Nigerians deserve confidence in products used routinely for menstrual hygiene and urged the regulatory agency to provide clear answers on the safety of sanitary pads sold across the country.
Princess Joy Omagha Idam
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
Weekenders Magazine
