Prohibited ingredients found
In November 2004, the MHRA reported continued concern that Traditional Chinese Medicines and herbal remedies were found to contain prohibited ingredients. See page 10 http://medicines.mhra.gov.uk/ourwork/monitorsafequalmed/currentproblems/currentproblems_oct04.pdf
Prohibited herbal ingredients found have included:
Aristolochia: prohibited in unlicensed medicines. It is associated with kidney failure and cancer.
Ephedrine: not permitted to be added to unlicensed herbal medicine. It has been associated with cardiac problems and stroke.
Prohibited prescription medicines found have included:
Corticosteroids: have been found in herbal creams used to treat skin conditions. Particularly where used in uncontrolled amounts, topical corticosteroids may cause skin thinning and in the long term worsen conditions such as eczema and dermatitis as well as local, and possibly systemic, immunosuppression.
Fenfluramine: an appetite suppressant which was associated with cardiac problems and withdrawn globally on safety grounds. Nitrosofenfluramine, a related substance, is toxic to the liver.
Glibenclamide: an anti-diabetic agent. Improper use can result in coma and death.
Prohibited toxic and biological products found have included:
Mercury, lead and arsenic: not permitted in unlicensed herbal medicines. These variously can cause harmful effects including severe nausea, abdominal pain, kidney damage, impairment of mental function and convulsions.
Human placenta: not permitted in unlicensed herbal medicines. Possible risk of transferring infections such as hepatitis C or HIV.
Excreta from bats: animal ingredient not permitted in unlicensed herbal medicines. May pose a variety of public health risks.
The presence of these substances is illegal and potentially very harmful. The patient may not be aware of the added ingredient as these ingredients are usually not declared on the product label.
The Minster Practice, Lichfield
