13 traditional meds, health products found adulterated

THE Ministry of Health (MoH) alerted members of the public to 13 types of traditional medicines and health products which have been tested by the Laboratory of Pharmacy Section, Scientific Laboratory Services, Laboratory Services, MoH, and found to be adulterated with undeclared, potent western medicine.

The affected products are listed below:

The adulterants found in the listed products can cause adverse, potentially hazardous side effects in people using them.

Acetaminophen or paracetamol can be taken for self-medication but when traditional medicine does not declare its acetaminophen or paracetamol content, a person might unknowingly consume excessive amounts of the two substances, leading to liver damage, kidney failure, coma and even death.

Drowsiness, dizziness, lowered blood pressure (hypotension), irregular heartbeat, confusion, depression, convulsions, muscle weakness, blurred vision, dry mouth, arrhythmias, increase in appetite and weight gain are among the adverse effects that could occur from the unsupervised consumption of chlorpheniramine, cyproheptadine, and promethazine. All three are antihistamines used in the treatment of allergy symptoms.

Unsupervised long-term consumption of potent corticosteroids such as dexamethasone can cause increase in blood glucose levels leading to diabetes, high blood pressure, cataracts, muscular and bone disorders, and an increased risk of infections. Long-term use of corticosteroids can also lead to Cushing’s syndrome which is characterised by a round face or ‘moon face’, and upper body obesity with thin limbs. Consumers who have taken high doses of steroids over a prolonged period may suffer from withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, muscle and joint pain, fever, low blood sugar, low blood pressure and dehydration.

Ibuprofen is a pain-relief medicine that, if taken without supervision, may result in peptic ulcerations, gastrointestinal bleeding, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, blurred vision, oedema, jaundice and kidney failure and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), a serious disorder of the skin and mucous membranes.

Sibutramine is a slimming agent and is no longer recommended for medical use in the treatment of obesity due to its harmful effects on the heart and liver. Consuming the substance can also cause serious adverse reactions such as high blood pressure, heart palpitations, insomnia, and in the worst cases, kidney and liver damage.

Sildenafil is a drug used to treat male impotence and can only be prescribed by a qualified doctor or physician. Side effects of consuming the drug include nausea, vomiting, flushing and dizziness. In severe cases, an abnormal increase in resting heart rate, sudden loss of hearing, and seizures can occur.

MoH has not issued any approval for the importation for the sale of these products.

Following these findings, the products are not permitted to be imported and sold in Brunei Darussalam.

Members of the public who have purchased or used the forenamed products are advised to stop using them immediately. They should also consult a medical practitioner if they feel unwell or experience any undesirable reactions as a result of using them.

Those involved in the retail and sale of these products (including through social media such as Facebook, Instagram, etc.) are reminded that it is an offence under the Poisons Act 1956 to sell any product containing any substance controlled under the said Act, with the penalty for such an offence upon conviction being a fine of $8,000 or six months’ imprisonment.

Furthermore, if a person commits an act that amounts to such a degree of negligence so as to endanger or is likely to endanger human life, then such person shall be guilty of an offence which carries a penalty of a fine of $16,000 and 12 months’ imprisonment.

MoH called upon the public for their cooperation and report to the Health Regulations Services if they find any of these products being sold in the country.

For further information and updates, the public can contact the Health Regulations Services at 2384182, send an email to health.regulations@moh.gov.bn, or head directly to the first floor of the Health Regulations Services, Ministry of Health, Commonwealth Drive, Brunei Darussalam.

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