Acting director-general of health, Debbie Chin, says people may be
putting their health at risk by taking so-called herbal products which
actually contain undeclared prescription medicines.
Seven different products imported from Asia, being sold as herbal
medicines, have tested positive for erectile dysfunction and weight
loss prescription medicines following routine investigations Medsafe.
"There is a real potential for harm to occur when prescription
medicines are used by consumers without a prescription, because of the
absence of any medical supervision," Mrs Chin says.
"If people are in doubt about the contents of any herbal product they
are taking for a health condition they should seek advice from their
health professional."
Medsafe investigators located the seven products imported from Asia
through a routine investigation of retail outlets. Some products
containing sildenafil were being advertised as natural or herbal
Viagra. Products were often being sold "under-the-counter" on request
and some were being supplied unlabelled in plastic bags.
Medsafe investigations are continuing and prosecution cases are being
considered in relation to the alleged distributors. All known stocks
of these herbal products have been seized.
Breaches of the medicines laws are taken very seriously, especially
where patient and consumer safety is put at risk.
Labels: No Prescription, Online Pharmacy, Prescription Drugs
# posted by Network @ 12:18 PM
