Remedies putting lives at risk

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Remedies putting lives at risk

22 July 2006
nz


Prescription drugs being sold as "herbal" remedies are putting lives at risk, safety authorities say.

Acting Director-General of Health Debbie Chin said seven products imported from Asia had recently tested positive for containing erectile dysfunction and weight loss prescription medicines.

The findings came as a result of routine investigations of retail outlets by the medicines safety authority, Medsafe.

Five remedies contained sildenafil, the erectile dysfunction drug used in Viagra. The drug could interfere with some heart medications, Ms Chin said.
"Their use could be fatal to some individuals."

Two contained sibutramine, which was used to treat obese patients. The drug caused increased blood pressure and heart rate in some people and should not be taken by those with glaucoma, mental illness or severe liver or kidney problems. Nor should it be used in combination with other medicines such as some antidepressants and migraine treatments, Ms Chin said.

All but two remedies were being supplied by retailers in unlabelled plastic bags and did not have brand names.

The branded products were Kang Da (for erectile dysfunction) and Qing Zhi (weight loss).

Dominion Post

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,...9a7144,00.html

Reputation Comments on this post:

Interesting article

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Health ministry seizes illegal herbal products

21 July 2006

Health authorities have discovered seven "herbal medicines" on sale containing prescription impotence and weight-loss drugs.

Five of the medicines contained sildenafil – the active ingredient in anti-impotence drugs such as Viagra – while two contained anti-obesity drug, sibutramine.

Acting Director-General of Health, Debbie Chin, said today all known stocks of the Asian herbal products had been seized and the Health Ministry was warning people their health could be at risk if they took the drugs. The products were detected in routine checks.

Products were often being sold "under-the-counter" on request and some were being supplied unlabelled in plastic bags.

Some products containing sildenafil, which can fatally interfere with heart medication, were being advertised as natural or herbal Viagra.

Sibutramine could cause increased blood pressure and heart rate and could be dangerous in combination with other medications, Ms Chin said.

The ministry's drug-safety agency Medsafe was considering prosecuting the distributors of the products.

A Health Ministry statement described the products as:

• unlabelled red/brown tablets marked "800mg" in a small plastic zip-lock bag;

• unlabelled bright green capsules in a small plastic zip-lock bag;
• red capsules in gold foil labelled Kang Da;
• orange/black capsules in a clear plastic pack with red dots;
• cream coloured capsules (one or two) in an orange, blue and clear plastic pack;
• blue/white capsules in a small plastic zip-lock bag;
• a pack of six capsules labelled as Qing Zhi.

NZPA

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3739554a11,00.html

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Qing Zhi is one of the products containing anti-obesity drug sibutramine.


Herbal potions hold dangerous drugs
Monday July 24, 2006

Health authorities have discovered seven "herbal medicines" on sale containing prescription impotence and weight-loss drugs.
Five of the medicines contained sildenafil - the active ingredient in anti-impotence drugs such as Viagra - while two contained anti-obesity drug sibutramine.
Acting Director-General of Health Debbie Chin said all known stocks of the Asian herbal products had been seized and the Health Ministry was warning people their health could be at risk if they took the drugs.
Products were often sold "under-the-counter" and some were being supplied unlabelled in plastic bags.
Some products containing sildenafil, which can fatally interfere with heart medication, were being advertised as natural or herbal Viagra. Sibutramine could cause increased blood pressure and heart rate and could be dangerous in combination with other medications, Ms Chin said.
The ministry's drug-safety agency Medsafe is considering prosecuting.


A Health Ministry statement described the products as:
* Unlabelled red/brown tablets marked 800mg in a small plastic zip-lock bag.
* Unlabelled bright green capsules in a small plastic zip-lock bag.
* Red capsules in gold foil labelled Kang Da.
* Orange/black capsules in a clear plastic pack with red dots.
* Cream coloured capsules (one or two) in an orange, blue and clear plastic pack.
* Blue/white capsules in a small plastic zip-lock bag.
* A pack of six capsules labelled as Qing Zhi.


- NZPA

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/s...ectid=10392639