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WHO/HQ has been made aware of over forty-five (45) reports of eye injuries, including cases of blindness, associated with the improper use of Chlorhexidine diclucanate 7.1% (CHX) in nine African countries —Nigeria (2015), Senegal (2015), DRC (2015), Liberia (2015), Niger (2017), Mali (2018), Kenya (2018), Chad (2018) and Cameroon (2019). The reported injuries are associated with both the liquid and the gel CHX formulations.
The Essential Medicines and Health Products Department (EMP) through its Safety and Vigilance Unit has issued a Drug Safety Alert. This Alert notifies the National Medicine Regulatory Authorities and those responsible for patient safety and phamacovigilance of thereported injuries associated with the misuse of CHX.