Beware the medicine that could turn out to be poison

The Star

Beware the medicine that could turn out to be poison
The Star Malaysia
29 October 2013

KUALA LUMPUR: Members of the public have been warned against buying three unregistered traditional medicine and a slimming product after these were found to contain scheduled poisons.
The three traditional medicine were “Majun Dua Istimewa”, “Makjun Taufiq Dua Istimewa” and “Madu Adunan Herba” while the slimming product is “Figure-Up”.
The Health Ministry’s Pharmaceutical services senior director Datuk Eisah Abdul Rahman said tests carried out found that the products contained dexamethasone, which could cause liver and kidney problems if consumed without medical advice.
“A patient died due to kidney complications after consuming ‘ MajunDuaIstimewa’ fortwomonths, purportedly as pain relief,” she said in a statement here yesterday.
Other symptoms include obesity, “Cushing’s Syndrome” – which also causesweightgain, allergies, increase in cholesterol levels, headaches, stomachulcers, osteoporosis, breathing difficulties and disruption in blood flow.
Eisah said dexamethasone, which is controlled under the Sale of Drugs Act, is a potent anti-inflammatory drug often used to treat allergies and must only be consumed with a doctor’s prescription.
The named traditional medicines, she added, were still being sold despite raids carried out by the ministry’s enforcement division.
“A total of 401 bottles of ‘ Majun Dua Istimewa’ worth RM146,779 and 96 bottles of ‘ Makjun Taufiq Dua Istimewa’ worth RM32,593 have been seized since June,” she said.
Meanwhile, she said “Figure-Up” contains sibutramine, which is used to reduce weight, especially in obese patients.
It has been banned in Malaysia since June 23 due to the risk of cardiovascular problems such as heart attack and stroke.
Those found guilty of contravening the regulations can be fined up to RM25,000 or jailed up to three years or both. — Bernama