Clipping Board » Drug Poisoning ─ It is necessary to be aware of the toxic side effects before taking medication.
【United Daily News╱Reporter Wu Mengting/Taipei Report】 2009.12.15 06:12 am
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on 【2008-10-09/United Evening News/A8/Life】
Another case of substandard products? Many Taiwanese are accustomed to purchasing health products or traditional Chinese herbal medicines when visiting mainland China. The Consumers' Foundation (消基會) opens three times a year for consumers to submit samples for testing regarding "Western drugs mixed into Chinese medicines and heavy metal content." This time, 36% of the substandard products came from mainland China.
The Consumers' Foundation stated that according to a report from the United States Renal Data System (USRDS), Taiwan has had the highest incidence of dialysis patients since 2002. Furthermore, the Taiwan Society of Nephrology discovered in 2006 that in the Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan regions, there were 514 cases of uremia per million people. The reasons may be linked to "taking unknown Chinese herbal medicines indiscriminately" or "abusing painkillers."
Out of 54 Chinese medicine samples tested by the foundation for Western drug contamination, 11 were found to contain Western drugs, a detection rate of 20%. Among these, 36% came from mainland China, while the rest were purchased from martial arts clinics, pharmacies, or herbal medicine stores.
The functions of these substandard medicines varied—some treated colds, coughs, or allergic rhinitis, while others were for injuries or pain relief. Those from mainland China included kidney-nourishing supplements, weight-loss products, and diabetes treatments.
One product labeled for "kidney nourishment and treating vitiligo" was found to contain lead exceeding the Department of Health's standard of 100 ppm. The foundation noted that while most lead is excreted from the body, it can accumulate over time, potentially leading to chronic lead poisoning. It may also interfere with hemoglobin synthesis, causing anemia, abdominal pain, acute kidney failure, and neurological disorders. In children, lead poisoning can result in hyperactivity and affect memory and IQ.
A case in mainland China involved a 12-year-old child with poor academic performance, hyperactivity, and developmental delays. Tests revealed the child's blood lead level was twice the normal value (10 micrograms/100 milliliters), making it the primary cause of the developmental issues.
A total of 16 types of Western drug ingredients were detected, including diuretics, caffeine, painkillers, the weight-loss drug "Reductil," and the erectile dysfunction drug "Viagra," all added to achieve rapid treatment effects.
The foundation pointed out that mixing Western drugs into Chinese medicines violates the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act. Martial arts clinics and herbal medicine stores are also prohibited by law from providing medicines to consumers. Violators may be charged with practicing medicine without a license under the Medical Practitioners Act, punishable by six months to five years in prison and fines ranging from NT$300,000 to NT$1.5 million.
The foundation once again reminded consumers to consult qualified Chinese medicine practitioners when ill or seeking health supplements. They should avoid purchasing Chinese medicines from non-medical sources or unknown origins and instead opt for legally certified GMP pharmaceutical products with verified registration permits for safety.
【2009/12/15 United Daily News】@ http://udn. com/
Source: http://udn. com/ NEWS/ NATIONAL/ NATS2/ 5309178. shtml
Taiwanese Tainted Herbal Medicine: 36% Made in China
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on 【2008-10-09/United Evening News/A8/Life】
Another case of substandard products? Many Taiwanese are accustomed to purchasing health products or traditional Chinese herbal medicines when visiting mainland China. The Consumers' Foundation (消基會) opens three times a year for consumers to submit samples for testing regarding "Western drugs mixed into Chinese medicines and heavy metal content." This time, 36% of the substandard products came from mainland China.
The Consumers' Foundation stated that according to a report from the United States Renal Data System (USRDS), Taiwan has had the highest incidence of dialysis patients since 2002. Furthermore, the Taiwan Society of Nephrology discovered in 2006 that in the Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan regions, there were 514 cases of uremia per million people. The reasons may be linked to "taking unknown Chinese herbal medicines indiscriminately" or "abusing painkillers."
Out of 54 Chinese medicine samples tested by the foundation for Western drug contamination, 11 were found to contain Western drugs, a detection rate of 20%. Among these, 36% came from mainland China, while the rest were purchased from martial arts clinics, pharmacies, or herbal medicine stores.
The functions of these substandard medicines varied—some treated colds, coughs, or allergic rhinitis, while others were for injuries or pain relief. Those from mainland China included kidney-nourishing supplements, weight-loss products, and diabetes treatments.
One product labeled for "kidney nourishment and treating vitiligo" was found to contain lead exceeding the Department of Health's standard of 100 ppm. The foundation noted that while most lead is excreted from the body, it can accumulate over time, potentially leading to chronic lead poisoning. It may also interfere with hemoglobin synthesis, causing anemia, abdominal pain, acute kidney failure, and neurological disorders. In children, lead poisoning can result in hyperactivity and affect memory and IQ.
A case in mainland China involved a 12-year-old child with poor academic performance, hyperactivity, and developmental delays. Tests revealed the child's blood lead level was twice the normal value (10 micrograms/100 milliliters), making it the primary cause of the developmental issues.
A total of 16 types of Western drug ingredients were detected, including diuretics, caffeine, painkillers, the weight-loss drug "Reductil," and the erectile dysfunction drug "Viagra," all added to achieve rapid treatment effects.
The foundation pointed out that mixing Western drugs into Chinese medicines violates the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act. Martial arts clinics and herbal medicine stores are also prohibited by law from providing medicines to consumers. Violators may be charged with practicing medicine without a license under the Medical Practitioners Act, punishable by six months to five years in prison and fines ranging from NT$300,000 to NT$1.5 million.
The foundation once again reminded consumers to consult qualified Chinese medicine practitioners when ill or seeking health supplements. They should avoid purchasing Chinese medicines from non-medical sources or unknown origins and instead opt for legally certified GMP pharmaceutical products with verified registration permits for safety.
【2009/12/15 United Daily News】@ http://udn. com/
Source: http://udn. com/ NEWS/ NATIONAL/ NATS2/ 5309178. shtml