The Pharmacy, Medicines and Poisons Board has warned people, especially women, against using products that contain corticosteroid, saying they risk skin cancer through prolonged use of the products.
An official from the board, Chrissy Chulu, sounded the warning at Mzuzu University during the recent World Intellectual Property Day where they displayed some of the abused products and counterfeit medicines.
Chulu said many women use the products ignorantly to lighten their skin.
She said most of the products women abuse are medicines not body cream for skin lightening.
Corticosteroid is a synthetic drug used to reduce inflammation and allergic reactions on the body.
Some of the displayed abused products that contain corticosteroid were Caro light, Montclaire, Epiderm Cream, Epiderm Lotion, Betasol, Top Lemon, Fair & Beautiful Cream, Lemonvate Cream, Dermotyl Lotion and Clear Essence Cream.
“These are medicines and are supposed to be used by those with skin problems for a few days following advice by a physician.
“The problem is that some women are using them daily to lighten their skin. What they should know is that the lightening is a result of removed melanin caused by the prolonged use of these products,” she said.
