MHRA issues warning over heavy metals in unlicensed Chinese medicines
Practice A number of unlicensed traditional Chinese medicines have been found to contain dangerously high levels of metals, leading the MHRA to issue a warning to the public not to buy them over the internet
The MHRA has warned the public against buying a number of unlicensed traditional Chinese medicines used to treat infections and fever in young children over the internet because they contain dangerously high levels of lead, mercury and arsenic.
Tests by the Swedish National Food Agency had found "extremely high" levels of arsenic in medicines used to treat mumps, sore throat, tonsillitis, toothache, skin infections, anorexia and fever in young children, the MHRA reported today (August 20). The products are called Niu-Huang Chieh-tu-pein, Divya Kaishore Guggul and Chandraprabha Vati.
In addition, the Hong Kong government had recalled Bak Foong Pills, used to treat menstrual pain, because it found that the product contained twice the level of lead allowed by the Hong Kong authorities, the MHRA said. It had also recalled Hairegenerator, a product used to treat hair loss, because tests found 11 times the permitted level of mercury in a sample of the medicine.
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The public should use "extreme caution" when buying traditional Chinese medicines over the internet, says the MHRA |
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The MHRA stressed that none of the products were authorised for sale in the UK. It warned the public to use "extreme caution" when buying unlicensed medicines because standards varied greatly and were not been assessed for safety or quality. "The adulteration of traditional Chinese medicines with heavy metals is a significant international problem and can pose a serious risk to public health," said MHRA head of policy Richard Woodfield. |
MHRA issues warning over faulty diabetes stripsPatients who think they may have taken any of the products needed to speak to their doctor and report any side effects through the Yellow Card scheme, he said.
UK-authorised herbal products, which are subject to safety monitoring, were registered under the MHRA's Traditional Herbal Registration scheme and have the THR registration number or logo on the packaging, he added.
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