Author: admin

THE Ministry of Health (MoH) issued a warning to the public after it found three types of traditional medicines and health products to be adulterated.

The Laboratory of Pharmacy Section, Scientific Laboratory Services, Laboratory Services, MoH tested and found the products to contain undeclared, potent Western medicine.

The affected products are:

– Jamu Sari Daun Sirsak Untuk Pria Wanita Kapsul (manufactured by Maju Jaya, Indonesia), adulterated with Diclofenac and Dexamethasone.

– Vein Super Herbs Penawar Tradisional Kapsul (manufacturer not stated), adulterated with Diclofenac and Dexamethasone

– Be Fit Garcinia Cambogia Slimming Detox Tablet (manufactured in Malaysia), adulterated with Sibutramine.

The adulterant found in these products can cause adverse effects that are potentially hazardous to their users.

Diclofenac is a pain-relief medicine that, if taken without supervision, may result in peptic ulceration, gastrointestinal bleeding, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, blurred vision, oedema, jaundice and kidney failure. 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 of time may suffer from withdrawal symptoms that include fatigue, muscle and joint pain, fever, low blood sugar, low blood pressure and dehydration.

Sibutramine is a slimming agent and is no longer recommended for medical use in obesity due to its harmful effects on the heart and liver.

Its consumption can also cause serious adverse reactions such as high blood pressure, heart palpitation, insomnia and in worst cases, kidney and liver damage.

The MoH 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 discontinue use immediately. They should also consult a medical practitioner should they feel unwell or experience any undesirable reactions as a result of using them.

Individuals involved in the retail of these products (including online retail such as through Facebook, 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 and the penalty for such an offence upon conviction, is 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 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 MoH urged public cooperation in reporting to the Health Regulations Services if any of these products are still found on the market in this country.

For further information, the public can contact the Health Regulations Services at 2384182, send an e-mail to health.regulations@moh.gov.bn or go directly to Health Regulations Services on the 1^st Floor, MoH at Commonwealth Drive. They can also contact Darussalam line 123 for any enquiries.