Pill-popping may worsen your health

Star: IPOH: If you are thinking of taking pills to lose weight or gain sexual prowess, think again.
Certain pills being sold over the counter may contain harmful chemicals, according to Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad.
He said some companies, after obtaining the ministry's approval stamp, mixed such pills with dangerous substances.
“These poisonous substances may have long-term effects on a person’s health, and lead to kidney or liver failure, or skin cancer,” he said after attending the Ipoh Timur Umno Youth, Wanita and Puteri delegates meeting here.
Elaborating on the process of giving approval for such pills, he said these products in capsule form were usually presented first as herbal products.
“They (manufacturers concerned) would later add on chemicals without our knowledge.
“Products containing adulterants can only be used if prescribed by doctors. These companies are not allowed to sell them and make fake claims,” he said, adding that it was not possible for consumers to know of the make-up of the pills.
Expressing concern over such products which were gaining a hold in the local market, he said the ministry had seized over RM26mil worth of the products in 2005.