Brunei's Local News - Brudirect.com

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Ministry of Health has detected the presence of adulterants in three traditional medicines.

Ginseng Jin Fui Wan, which is adulterated with Cyproheptadine, is one of them. The manufacturer is unknown.

Others are Obat Asam Urat Flu Tulang & Cikunguya manufactured in Ramuan Makasar, Indonesia and adulterated with Phenylbutazone Mefenamic Acid, as well as Neo Asam Urat Flu Tulang from PJ Rempah Tibet, Indonesia found adulterated with Meloxicam Acetaminophen.

The adulterants detected in these traditional medicines are potent medicinal substances, which should only be used under proper medical supervision.

Some of the adverse effects that could occur from unsupervised consumption of Cyproheptadine include dizziness, low blood pressure, confusion, lack of Coordination and drowsiness.

Long term consumption of Phenylbutazone may lead to gastric pain, hearing disturbance, shortness of breath, swelling of face or lower legs and blood disorder, while consumption of Mefenamic Acid or Meloxicam may lead to nausea, diarrhea, constipation and gastric pain.

Acetaminophen is used for pain and fever and long term consumption may cause rashes, low blood pressure and blood disorder and over dosage may lead to kidney and liver damage.

No approval has ever been given by the Ministry of Health for the importation and sale of these products. Following this report, the three products are not allowed to be imported and sold in the country.

People who have been taking any of these affected products are advised to stop taking them immediately and to discard them. If they experience any adverse reactions or feel unwell, they should consult their doctors immediately.

Members of the public involved in retailing of these products are hereby reminded that it is an offence under Poison Act 1956 to sell any product containing any substance controlled under the Poisons Act. The penalty for such an offence, upon conviction, is a fine of $8000 or imprisonment of six months. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin