Dr Kordel Still On Shelf In Brunei Despite Recall
By MK Anwar and Huraiza Ahmad

Bandar Seri Begawan - While reputed pharmacies and drug stores have lost no time in clearing their shelves of the recalled medical products from Pan Pharmaceuticals of Australia, some of the small-scale retailers, minimart and corner shops are said to be still selling these products. Weekend found out that some of these traders were still in the dark over the recall order and the advisory made public by the Brunei's Ministry of Health on Thursday.

The brands included Kordel, 21st Century, Nutralife, Thomspon and Vita.

The Ministry instructed all distributors and retailers in the country to halt the sale of Pan Pharmaceutical products following action taken by Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia three days ago. The large number of products included complementary medicines such as herbal Vitamins, minerals, nutritional supplements, pain relievers as well as cold and flu preparations. A list of products that came under the recall was publicised by the Health Ministry. But during a random survey yesterday, the Weekend reporters found some of these products still on the shelves of the shops. Some shop owners seem to be unaware of the recall. Some did not even realise that health products they sold were manufactured by the troubled manufacturer. However, big retailers and pharmacies have already removed Pan products off their shelves. The large range of products produced by Pan Pharmaceuticals seem to have confused come retailers, sources said. Meanwhile, concerned observers urged relevant authorities to conduct checks on retailers and shops to ensure that they comply with the order to remove these products from their shelves. They cited action now being taken in neighbouring countries where enforcement officers are said to be checking on pharmacies and retail outlets in those countries. Even heavy fines are being considered against those who fail to comply with the orders, in their countries. The manufacturing licence of Pan Pharmaceuticals Ltd was suspended after manufacturing breaches were discovered during a regulatory body audit. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) discovered that the company has been manipulating test results, substituting ingredients, releasing products despite failing to test ingredients and substandard manufacturing processes of their products. There have been no reports of adverse effects with the consumption of the recalled products in Brunei. But TGA reported that dozens of people have suffered adverse reactions in Australia. 19 people were reported to have been already hospitalised after taking the recalled Pan products in that country. Meanwhile the Australian High Commissioner in Brunei Mr Allaster Cox yesterday underscored his country's commitment to safety and high standards of its products. Speaking at a function to launch a new health service where he officiated, Mr Cox said, "The rapid action by the Therapeutic Goods Administration of the Australian Government this week to suspend the licence and order the recall of products manufactured by a major Australian producer of a wide range of health products shows that our authorities are prepared to act without fear or favour. "Therapeutic Goods Administration's latest action should give consumers worldwide confidence in Australian health products, which will continue to undertake audits and safeguard its products for distribution," he added. He also said, " The Therapeutic Goods Administration is responsible for licensing, monitoring and assessing all therapeutic goods and devices manufactured and sold in Australia. In doing so, it focuses closely on the use of therapeutic producst. As we saw this week, it is in position to quickly swoop on companies whose products or processes may prove to be defective. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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