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Ministry Recalls Four Traditional Medicines
The Ministry of Health has recalled four traditional medicines and a cosmetic product after they were found to contain substances which may cause other health complications.
Malaysian-made N-Hanz contained homosildenafil, which is used in the treatment of impotency, but it may result in the lowering of blood pressure when used together with some anti-hypertensive drugs, according to a press release from the ministry,
Another Malaysian-produced medicine, Hao Zhou San (Chatlin Brand), was found to contain ephedrine, which may lead to nausea, vomiting, dizziness and convulsion. The ministry has also recalled Malaysian-made San Qi Luohan Chuanbei Plus Capsule and Tien Sun Pu Sen Jew Nang from Thailand, which contains chlorpheniramine and sildenafil, respectively.
Consumption of chlorpheniramine may lead to dizziness, lowering of blood pressure, confusion, loss of coordination and drowsiness, while sildenafil can lead to serious health effects when it is mixed with other medicines.
The Cool & Lightening soap, which was found available for sale in Brunei, contains poison which can cause skin irritation, reddening and burning of the skin and leukaemia.
"In the interest of public safety, the Ministry of Health has instructed the importer to recall the affected product from the market and would also like to advise consumers to stop using the said product," the press release added.
It is an offence to import and sell any product containing such a substance, and offenders face a fine of $8,000 or jailed for six months.