Orgacare firm loses licence

Sun2Surf:The Health Ministry has revoked the manufacturing licence of Orgacare Pharmaceutical Sdn Bhd, which produced the now banned Orgacare Unik Plus-1.
A spokesman for the ministry said yesterday lab tests were conducted on the product before it was approved in 2000.
However, it is believed that the manufacturer may have breached the regulations when producing the subsequent batches.
As is the procedure involving all traditional medicines, the product was subjected to a lab test upon application for registration, unlike supplement pills and cosmetics which are evaluated based on the listed contents.
It is also possible that the product was contaminated, said the spokesman.
However, Orgacare Pharmaceutical Sdn Bhd personnel denied any links to the product.
Yesterday, it was reported that the Drug Control Authority of the ministry had banned the product because it was adulterated with sildenafil and tadalafil, both of which are scheduled poisons.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the DCA had found sldenafil in the product.
He said regulatory agencies in other countries which imported Orgacare from Malaysia had also identified the additional poison, tadalafil, present in it.
Among the adverse symptoms experienced by those who took it were nausea and heart palpitations.
The product can also be harmful if taken with certain medications.
Checks online showed that the product was still readily offered over the internet by various online businesses.
However, no names and addresses were mentioned as all correspondence between the buyer and seller is done through e-mail, while transactions are by credit card.
One website claims that the product was developed by a company in collaboration with Australian scientists, and lab tests were apparently conducted at Universiti Putra Malaysia.
It claims to cure lethargy, gives the user strength, increase sexual prowess, improve blood circulation, cures skin disease and inflammation, cures high blood pressure, diabetes, ulcers and fever, and heal cuts and bruises.
The product is being offered online at RM90 for 30 capsules.
Possession of banned products for the first offence is a fine of RM25,000 or jail sentence of three years or both, increasing to a fine of RM50,000 or five years jail for the second and subsequent offences.
A company found guilty may be fined up to RM50,000 for the first offence and up to RM100,000 for the second or subsequent offences.
A Health Ministry official said it was up to the enforcement division to monitor the websites which offer the products and take action against the sale of the now banned product.