The Ministry of Health of Panama (Minsa), has ordered the immediate suspension of the sale and use of Green Frog brand alcoholic gel in Panama.
Specialized Institute of Analysis of the University of Panama, determined that this product contains the toxic methanol.
According to the National Directorate of Pharmacy and Drugs (DNFD), Methanol is a colorless and very toxic liquid, obtained by distillation of wood at low temperatures and is used to denature ethyl alcohol and as an additive to liquid fuels and it is itself harmful for topical use in humans.
Elvia Lau, director of the DNFD, maintained that at the start of the pandemic, the installed capacity of the Panamanian industry was not sufficient to supply the population, therefore, import measures were taken based on the documentation of the international manufacturer, and upon arrival of this product to Panama a random test pointed out the Green Frog alcoholic gel in particular.
Lau assured that this alert has caused greater vigilance in the products of foreign importers, for this reason the operations are being reinforced to determine that the content of these products is what the manufacturer presents.
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Minsa in a statement reiterated to the public that the Green Frog brand alcoholic gel is highly toxic and its commercialization is prohibited in Panama.
