Public warning over some Traditional Chinese Medicines

The general public is being alerted about the quality and safety of a number of Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) following inspections at six shops throughout Northern Ireland.

Inspectors from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety's Pharmacy Branch carried out a number of searches in TCMs retail outlets in February 2006 and seized a range of products for further examination.

Following analysis by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), five products were found to include Sildenafil (or Tadalafil) which are the active ingredients of Viagra and Cialis and are prescription only medicines.

The supply of such adulterated herbal medicines is illegal and could pose a risk to public health.

Commenting on the searches Dr Norman Morrow, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, DHSSPS said: "I recognise that many people value herbal remedies, such as traditional Chinese medicines. I want people to continue to have that choice.

"However, we now have evidence that, in some cases, the medicines controls applying in this country to provide for public confidence and safety are being breached. While many individual remedies are unlikely to pose any threat to public health, I am concerned that examples of TCMs containing potentially dangerous and often illegal ingredients continue to be found on the market.

He continued: "The Department is doing everything in its power to clampdown on the sale of illegal and harmful medicines and has instructed all TCM outlets here to withdraw these particular adulterated products from sale and to ensure the safety and efficiency of all herbal remedies offered for sale from their premises. While there is no totally reliable way for the public to identify those which could be unsafe, patients should avoid buying any remedies where they are uncertain as to the nature and quality of the ingredients.

"It is inadvisable to buy products which are not labelled properly or which do not include a full list of ingredients in English. People should always inform their doctor or pharmacist if they are taking a herbal remedy.

Following analysis by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) a number of illegal and toxic substances were discovered in some of the products seized.

These products were:

• Mr Dragon 100% Natural Male Tonic
• Dragon Power
• King 100% Natural Male Tonic
• Zhandaodi
• A product only bearing Chinese characters

Dr Morrow said that his officers, in conjunction with MHRA, had taken steps to ensure that the products have been withdrawn from sale and a file is now being prepared for the Public Prosecution Service.

(EF)