Tuesday October 2, 2012

Ministry bans two traditional medicinal products

By WONG PEK MEI
pekmei@thestar.com.my

PETALING JAYA: The public is advised to stop buying and using traditional product MYMEN PLUS Capsule 400mg after it was found to contain a scheduled poison.

Health director-general Datuk Seri Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman said the product was found to contain tadalafil, which is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence and can only be supplied by doctors or available at pharmacies by prescription.

“Usage of tadalafil without proper diagnosis and monitoring by the doctor can have serious effects such as decreased or loss of vision and hearing, may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels and cardiovascular conditions like stroke and myocardial infarction,” he said in a statement.

He said the product label advice were for traditional use to promote blood circulation, reduce fatigue and tiredness, relief muscle and joints pain, relieve backache, and improve digestion and wind.

The Health Ministry also advised people to stop purchasing and using traditional product Jin Fei Cao San Extract Powder “Sheng Chang”, which was registered to relieve the common cold, cough, phlegm and headache.

Dr Hasan said the powder contained scheduled poisons, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which are controlled medicines often found as decongestants in cold medicines.

“Their usage at therapeutic doses prescribed by healthcare professionals provide benefit to patients, but if used indiscriminately without proper diagnosis and supervision, can cause serious adverse effects such as hypertension, psychiatric-related symptoms such as hallucination, schizophrenia, delusion and even the risk of getting a stroke,” he said.

He said both poisons can be harmful to consumers who are at high-risk of getting these adverse effects as well as patients with underlying heart disease, hypertension and hyperthyroidism.

Dr Hasan added that if anyone experienced any unpleasant effects or adverse events, they could seek further advice from healthcare professionals.

Both products' registration has been cancelled by the Drug Control Authority.

“Sellers are reminded that possession for sale of these products is an offence under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984,” he said.

For further information, contact the National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau at 03-7883 5546/5539 or e-mail bpfk@bpfk.gov.my.

News

Tuesday October 2, 2012

Ministry bans two traditional medicinal products

By WONG PEK MEI pekmei@thestar.com.my

By WONG PEK MEI
pekmei@thestar.com.my