Clipping Board » Drug Poisoning ─ It is necessary to be aware of the toxic side effects before taking medication.
**United Daily News / Reporter Tseng Yi-ching / Taipei Report** 2010.01.29
Statistics show that Taiwanese people consume 210,000 bottles of cough syrup daily. The Consumers' Foundation (CF) inspected ten commercially available cough syrups and found that eight of them placed dense warning labels inside the paper boxes, making them virtually "invisible" unless the packaging was "peeled apart."
The CF investigation revealed that eight cough syrup brands—Antonin, Sanfongyu, Youlu'an, Mingtong Zhitongdan, Fengreyou, Guoan, Kefengxie, and Yujiang Yizhenfeng—all hid warnings inside the packaging. Shock cough syrup even failed to display any warnings at all.
Dr. Zhao Kai, an emergency physician at Cathay General Hospital in Hsinchu, stated that excessive consumption of cough syrup can harm the liver, kidneys, and nervous system, with potential addiction risks. He advised that diabetic, hypertensive, heart disease patients, and the elderly should avoid taking it.
CF Chairman Hsieh Tien-jen pointed out that Shock cough syrup did not list side effects, contraindications, or precautions, while Yujiang Yizhenfeng omitted side effects. Kefengxie and Antonin cough syrups lacked batch numbers.
Most cough syrups contain 60 milliliters per bottle, with a recommended dosage of only 10 milliliters per use. CF Secretary-General Huang Yu-sheng noted that many people drink an entire bottle per meal, and last year, one individual consumed 24 bottles a day, eventually developing dementia. He urged the public not to abuse cough syrup for convenience.
Sanfongyu manufacturer Ebalon and Youlu'an manufacturer Dayu Pharmaceuticals both stated they would improve by considering larger fonts and additional instructions. Mingtong Chemical Pharmaceuticals, maker of Mingtong Zhitongdan, stated they comply with Department of Health (DOH) regulations and "do not act solely on CF's say." Jiou Ren Enterprise, producer of Kefengxie, explained that the batch number was embossed on the outer box, suggesting the CF might have missed it.
Shock manufacturer Chia Shin Pharmaceutical stated their products comply with labeling laws and would review for any omissions.
**Reporter Liu Hui-min / Taipei Report** The DOH stated that if drug instructions are printed inside the packaging, a separate leaflet must be provided. The DOH will reassess labeling regulations for cough syrups.
Dai Hsueh-yung, a section chief at the DOH's Food and Drug Administration, noted that some drugs require extensive information, which may not fit on the outer packaging. In such cases, labels or leaflets can be used. However, three years ago, the DOH mandated that such drugs must include a separate leaflet when sold. Violators face fines of NT$30,000 to NT$150,000.
Source: http://udn. com/ NEWS/ HEALTH/ HEA1/ 5394590. shtml
Too Much Cold Syrup Harms Health, Warning inside Box
Statistics show that Taiwanese people consume 210,000 bottles of cough syrup daily. The Consumers' Foundation (CF) inspected ten commercially available cough syrups and found that eight of them placed dense warning labels inside the paper boxes, making them virtually "invisible" unless the packaging was "peeled apart."
The CF investigation revealed that eight cough syrup brands—Antonin, Sanfongyu, Youlu'an, Mingtong Zhitongdan, Fengreyou, Guoan, Kefengxie, and Yujiang Yizhenfeng—all hid warnings inside the packaging. Shock cough syrup even failed to display any warnings at all.
Dr. Zhao Kai, an emergency physician at Cathay General Hospital in Hsinchu, stated that excessive consumption of cough syrup can harm the liver, kidneys, and nervous system, with potential addiction risks. He advised that diabetic, hypertensive, heart disease patients, and the elderly should avoid taking it.
CF Chairman Hsieh Tien-jen pointed out that Shock cough syrup did not list side effects, contraindications, or precautions, while Yujiang Yizhenfeng omitted side effects. Kefengxie and Antonin cough syrups lacked batch numbers.
Most cough syrups contain 60 milliliters per bottle, with a recommended dosage of only 10 milliliters per use. CF Secretary-General Huang Yu-sheng noted that many people drink an entire bottle per meal, and last year, one individual consumed 24 bottles a day, eventually developing dementia. He urged the public not to abuse cough syrup for convenience.
Sanfongyu manufacturer Ebalon and Youlu'an manufacturer Dayu Pharmaceuticals both stated they would improve by considering larger fonts and additional instructions. Mingtong Chemical Pharmaceuticals, maker of Mingtong Zhitongdan, stated they comply with Department of Health (DOH) regulations and "do not act solely on CF's say." Jiou Ren Enterprise, producer of Kefengxie, explained that the batch number was embossed on the outer box, suggesting the CF might have missed it.
Shock manufacturer Chia Shin Pharmaceutical stated their products comply with labeling laws and would review for any omissions.
**Reporter Liu Hui-min / Taipei Report** The DOH stated that if drug instructions are printed inside the packaging, a separate leaflet must be provided. The DOH will reassess labeling regulations for cough syrups.
Dai Hsueh-yung, a section chief at the DOH's Food and Drug Administration, noted that some drugs require extensive information, which may not fit on the outer packaging. In such cases, labels or leaflets can be used. However, three years ago, the DOH mandated that such drugs must include a separate leaflet when sold. Violators face fines of NT$30,000 to NT$150,000.
Source: http://udn. com/ NEWS/ HEALTH/ HEA1/ 5394590. shtml