Ministry Bans Sale Of Traditional Product For Slimming

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 10 (Bernama) -- The Drug Control Authority (DCA) in the Health Ministry has cancelled the registration of Orgacare Unik Plus-1, a traditional medicine supposedly to help slimming but which has been adulterated with ingredients that can damage the health of users.
Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the DCA found sildenafil, a scheduled poison, in Orgacare.
Regulatory agencies in other countries which imported Orgacare from Malaysia identified an additional poison, tadalafil, in the product, he said in a statement Tuesday.
He said sildenafil and tadalafil are medicines which can only be prescribed by doctors for men diagnosed with erectile dysfunction.
"The public should not use products containing sildenafil or tadalafil without being prescribed by a doctor as these drugs could cause deleterious effects to certain patients especially those with heart conditions or diabetes.
"These drugs could also interact with other medicines resulting in serious adverse effects such as the lowering of blood pressure if used together with some antihypertensive drugs," he said.
The statement advised people having the product to stop selling, distributing or using it.
It said possession for sale of the product is an offence under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984.
The maximum penalty for the first offence is a fine of RM25,000 or jail sentence of three years or both, rising to RM50,000 fine or five years jail for the second or subsequent offences.
A company found guilty can be fined up to RM50,000 for the first offence and up to RM100,000 for the second or subsequent offences.