The National Drug Authority (NDA) secretariat has issued a stern warning to a section of the public using a Chinese Contraceptive Pill available on the black market.
In a picture posted by the NDA, the pill is a small and pink packaged with five tablets and contains ingredients like Levonorgestrol and Quinestrol with usage information written only in the Chinese dialect.
The NDA Secretary, David Nahamya, released a statement on October 13, 2022, indicating that the pill has high doses of hormone that stay long in the human body, therefore causing adverse health, sexual and fertility issues especially in females.
“NDA advises the public to stop the consumption of this product whose safety and quality cannot be guaranteed. Family planning services should be sought from qualified health professionals.”Nahamya says
He further explains that the product that is not authorized for sale in Uganda can cause blood clots and heart disease among other major conditions.
“The risks associated with use of this product include among others; prolonged bleeding, irregular menstrual periods, palpitations, possibility of developing blood clots and heart diseases, abnormally thickened endometrium, a predisposing factor for endometrial cancer and infertility.” Nahamya said.
Nahamya further states that; , “When consumed, the hormones stay in the body for a long time and the adverse effects of the pill further manifest in babies that are born by mothers. The adverse effects include secondary sexual characteristics like premature puberty.
The body says a crack down on all drug outlets or persons dealing in the sale of the Chinese Pill has commenced already.
The NDA has also released toll free line 0800 101 999 to report the sale of substandard and falsified medical products.