THE Ministry of Health (MoH) alerted members of the public to five 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 adulterants found in these products can cause adverse effects that are potentially hazardous to the people using them.
Dizziness, lowering of blood pressure, irregular heart beat, confusion, depression and convulsions are among the adverse effects that could occur from the unsupervised consumption of Chlorpheniramine.
Unsupervised long-term consumption of potent corticosteroids such as Dexamethasone and Betamethasone can cause increased 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 which include fatigue, muscle and joint pain, fever, low blood sugar, low blood pressure and dehydration.
Acetaminophen or Paracetamol can be taken for self-medication but when traditional medicine does not declare its Acetaminophen or Paracetamol content, unaware person may take excessive Acetaminophen or Paracetamol which may lead to liver damage, kidney failure, coma and eventually death.
Sildenafil is a drug used to treat male impotency and can only be prescribed by a qualified doctor or physician.
Among their side effects include nausea, vomiting, flushing and dizziness.
In severe cases, they can also result in abnormal increase in heart rate, sudden loss of hearing and seizures.
The ministry has not issued any approval for the importation for the sale of these products. Following these findings, the products are not allowed to be imported and sold in Brunei Darussalam.
Members of the public who have purchased or used these 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 of these products (including online retail) are reminded that it is an offence under the Poisons Act 1956 to sell any product containing any substance controlled under the said Act and the penalty for such an offence upon conviction, is a fine of $8,000 or six months’ imprisonment.
If a person commits an Act that amounts to such a degree of negligence so as to endanger or be 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.
The ministry also called upon the public for their cooperation to report to the Pharmacy Enforcement Section if any of these products are still found on the market in this country.
For information, the public can contact the Pharmacy Enforcement Section at 2393298 extension 208; send an e-mail to pharmacy.enforcement@moh.gov.bn; go directly to first floor, Department of Pharmaceutical Services’ Building, Kampong Madaras, Mukim Gadong A; or call the Darussalam hotline 123.
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