The Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority has recalled Out of Specification Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitisers and Disinfectants that do not conform to recommended specifications.
The recall has been necessitated by the results of analysis and testing of sampled Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitisers and disinfectants undertaken at the Zambia Bureau of Standards Laboratory which reviewed that the underlisted products do not provide the required protection or safety.
ZAMRA Senior Public Relations Officer Christabel Iliamupu says the Authority, therefore, wishes to notify all healthcare professionals, health facilities, pharmaceutical outlets, business entities and the general public to avoid purchasing or using the underlisted products.
Additionally, Mrs Illiamupu has urged Manufacturers of Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitisers to ensure that Hand Sanitisers are manufactured using the recommended product formulations.
She said that this is important in safeguarding Public Health by ensuring effective prevention and mitigation of COVID-19.
Mrs Illiamupu said the Authority remains resolute in undertaking continuous surveillance of medicines and allied substances made available to the Zambian population so as to ensure consistent conformity to the set standards of quality, safety and efficacy throughout the supply chain.
Among the recalled products are 10 Wonders Hand Sanitiser manufactured by Ashtons Pharmaceuticals Limited of Lusaka all batch numbers which have very low alcohol content (25%) and unsatisfactory bacterial efficacy.
Avacare Instant Hand Sanitiser manufactured by Augusta Limited of Lusaka all recalled for wrong active ingredient (Methanol).
Bickmac Disinfectant 20 liters manufactured by Bickmac Enterprises Limited, Lusaka with Extremely low alcohol content (0.5%).
Glitzcare Hand Sanitiser manufactured by anyati Zambia Limited, Lusaka with very low alcohol content (46%), unsatisfactory bacterial efficacy.
Flost Antiseptic Hand Gel 110ml manufactured by Pharmex Zambia Limited, Lusaka, with very low alcohol content (52%), unsatisfactory bacterial efficacy.
Classic Match Waterless Hand Sanitiser 100ml manufactured by Classic Cosmetics, South Africa with Low alcohol content (56%)
Classic Match Waterless Hand Sanitiser 50ml Classic Cosmetics, South Africa with low alcohol content (50%)
SoClean Sanitiser Germ Killer SoChem Enterprise Limited, Lusaka with very low alcohol content (4.9%), unsatisfactory bacterial efficacy.
SoClean Anti-bacterial Hand Sanitiser SoChem Enterprise Limited, Lusaka all with very low alcohol content (14%), unsatisfactory bacterial efficacy 3X Plus Liquid Sanitiser not stated S01very low alcohol content (26%), unsatisfactory bacterial efficacy.
Vintage Instant Hand Sanitiser 50ml Not stated All Very low alcohol content (10%), unsatisfactory bacterial efficacy
Plus Hand Sanitiser 750ml Plus Santiago Enterprise Limited, Lusaka with very low alcohol content (14%), unsatisfactory bacterial efficacy
Sterilix Hand Sanitiser International Drug Company Limited, Lusaka C-133-20 & C-24-20 Wrong active ingredient (Clear Spirit).
The worst is fake condoms. Kiki bit of humour
Even Chinkondya soap tablets we grew up with are more effective than some of these sanitizers. After playing outside the whole day and getting bruises and sores, a hot bath in Dettol and scrubbing body with Chinkondya soap would disinfect 100% .
The reason Kachasu is not on this list is because it is over and above the required alcohol content
This PF katwishi, another massacre on own people. Go through list again, nearly ALL are Zambian companies, Lusaka based.
Where were regulators to approve during manufacturing process, and not to come and kill companies after they market?
@Chale, that’s a solid advice. And I still trust Ebu and Lifebough soap, so effective, even acts as mosquitoes reperent.
Classic Match Waterless Hand Sanitiser 100ml manufactured by Classic Cosmetics, South Africa with Low alcohol content (56%)
Classic Match Waterless Hand Sanitiser 50ml Classic Cosmetics, South Africa with low alcohol content (50%)
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How did these South African products find their way into this country? Unfortunately all you idyats at ZAMRA are just there to draw salaries without working!
Could ZAMRA also advise the public on which products DO meet the standard? This just makes people not want to buy anything, particularly not a local product.
This is our current Zambia, where is leadership, where is government to regulate the local manufacturing industries. Corruption is slowly eating Zambians, tomorrow will be fake salt, fake millie meal (Chinese are good at faking), cheap beef (fake) will be on the market and Zambians will have long lasting chronic diseases from these fake substances. We should not tolerate PF regime that puts at high risk of its citizens — PF MUST GO.
Congratulations to Zambia for doing this. Same story in South Africa; some companies have been sued. The problem is that many retail in small clear bottles with no labels whatsoever. You have to ask the seller for manufacturer and alcohol content info.
Good point Spuds. Which ones should people buy? As much as low or no alcohol content is useless, higher than 70% is dangerous. i only discovered this after I had already bought two bottles of 90% alcohol content.
Well done ZMRA.
I doubt most of these companies are using Isopropyl alcohol 70% as its increased by more than 100% simply just using cheap scented alcohol best way to test pour sample on a teaspoon test with a lighter.
The companies should be sued
ZMRA, Zambia Bureau of Standards, Zambia Weights and Measures, ZRA, ZICTA and many other regulatory bodies are docile. We buy and use so many useless products. Coffee tables, Socket extensions (adapter) with 3rd yellow “cable” (earth) with no wires inside, and many others.
So these companies are stealing from customers and you are not suing them or clapping hefty charges?
Chinese and Lebanese are selling fake beef already! They sell horse meat as beef. Just imagine all those vaccines which horses are subjected to and you feed Zambians with horse meat sols as beef when horses retire.
This is what PF does in connivance with Chinese and Lebanese businessmen.