ISO 9001: 2015: CERTIFIED

PUBLIC NOTICE

27^th July, 2024

CLARIFICATION ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA REPORT REGARDING PARACETAMOL TABLETS ALLEGED TO CAUSE SKIN PEELING AND IRRITATION

1. Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA) is the Regulatory Authority under the Ministry of Health responsible for regulating the quality, safety and efficacy of medical products (including medicines) in the country.
2. The Authority oversees various regulatory systems to ensure that medicines and medical devices meet the requirements of safety, quality and efficacy or performance. The systems encompass marketing authorization of medical products, licensing of premises, inspection of manufacturing facilities and distribution outlets, import and export control, pharmacovigilance, laboratory quality control testing and post-marketing surveillance of products circulating on the market.
3. The Authority has again noted an article on social media claiming that there is a presence of paracetamol tablets with white and shiny colour inscribed with the word ‘’P 500’’ circulating on the market alleged to contain the "Machupo" virus. According to the purported claim, the virus described is highly contagious and is associated with high fatality rates globally. The reported product is also claimed to cause skin irritation and peeling as highlighted in the photo above.
4. The reporter is urging the public to forward the report to everyone on their contact list to save lives. He concluded by asserting "I have done my part, now it is your turn. Remember that God helps those who help others. “Forward as received”.
5. Such reports are not new and the TMDA had earlier issued a Public Notice on 10th May 2023, clarifying that the same virus does not exist on P-500® (Paracetamol) tablets claimed to be manufactured by Apex Laboratories Private Limited of Tamil Nadu, India.
6. TMDA wishes to clarify once again that there is no such virus by the name of Machupo and that the virus cannot survive on solid dosage forms like tablets.
7. Medicines containing paracetamol as an active ingredient, marketed in Tanzania under various brand names have been registered after meeting quality, safety and efficacy requirements.
8. We wish to assure the general public that these available brands are safe for use as indicated on their labels.
9. As the Authority remains vigilant in protecting the public against substandard and falsified medical products, the public should refrain from circulating articles that may cause unwanted panic in society.