Warning Issued by Ministry of Health on Bayer Consumer Health manufactured Lotrimin sprays

#TurksandCaicos, October 8, 2021 – The Ministry of Health and Human Services (MoHHS), in response to an U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory, is advising all local healthcare facilities, other local suppliers and the general public to discontinue the sale and/or use of specific Lotrimin® AF and Tinactin® antifungal spray products manufactured by Bayer Consumer Health.

Lotrimin® AF and Tinactin® are used to treat fungal infections that cause tinea pedis, the skin condition known as athlete’s foot.

The advisory results from a voluntary recall due to the presence of benzene (human carcinogen) – a substance that could potentially cause cancer depending on the level and extent of exposure – in these products. The impacted products are:

Product Description:

• Lotrimin Spray® AF and Tinactin Spray®
• Lotrimin® Anti-Fungal (AF) Athlete’s Foot Powder Spray
• Lotrimin® Anti-Fungal Jock Itch (AFJI) Athlete’s Foot Powder Spray
• Lotrimin® Anti-Fungal (AF) Athlete’s Foot Deodorant Powder Spray
• Lotrimin® AF Athlete’s Foot Liquid Spray
• Lotrimin® AF Athlete’s Foot Daily Prevention Deodorant Powder Spray
• Tinactin® Jock Itch (JI) Powder Spray
• Tinactin® Athlete’s Foot Deodorant Powder Spray
• Tinactin® Athlete’s Foot Powder Spray
• Tinactin® Athlete’s Foot Liquid Spray

Based on the recall, benzene is not an ingredient in any of the spray products.

The MoHHS, therefore, implores all local healthcare facilities and other local suppliers to:

• Stop supplying the brands listed above immediately.
• Notify your overseas suppliers.
• Quarantine all remaining stock(s) of the identified brands for possible disposal by the Environmental Health Department.

Additionally, the MoHHS wishes to implore consumers to stop using the affected products and contact their respective local suppliers. Consumers may contact the Environmental Health Department at 338-2142 for more information on how best to dispose of these spray products. In addition, consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have any questions, concerns or have experienced any problems related to the use of these spray products.

Consumers/Patients should also be advised to report any side effects via the MoHHS’ Adverse Drug Reaction form found at https://gov.tc/docs/ADR.pdf.

The MoHHS’ top priority is to ensure public health safety and will therefore continue to monitor this situation as investigations continue.

For further information, please contact the MoHASHS at 338-3072.