Govt warns against 11 Chinese herbs

3.00pm

The Health Ministry is warning people not to take 11 Chinese herbal remedies found to contain prescription medicines and toxic substances, some linked to cancer.

Director-general of Health Karen Poutasi today said people taking the products should stop immediately and seek advice from their doctor.

Ministry of Health medicine safety authority Medsafe has ordered six of the 11 remedies be withdrawn from shops, Dr Poutasi said.

The warnings came after an investigation following a complaint to Medsafe about Chinese herbal medicines.

Three contained aristolochia, a herb that can cause kidney damage and urinary tract cancer.

There have been no reported cases of kidney damage or urinary tract cancers associated with aristolochia in New Zealand.

Three of the other remedies being withdrawn contained prescription medicines, including sildenafil, ephedrine and arsenic.

The other five remedies also contained prescription medicines, Dr Poutasi said.

"People taking these products should exercise caution and if they have any health concerns, they should contact their GP," she said.

Medsafe ordered the importers and distributers of the remedies to stop distribution and withdraw them from retail outlets.

They were also asked to ensure other products they sold did not contain any restricted medicines.

Medsafe had notified doctors of the remedies' risks and advised them on treatment options.

Aside from the 11 remedies identified, it was impossible know whether other remedies contained prescription medicines or toxic substances without testing, Dr Poutasi said.

She urged consumers to be cautious.

Medical Association chairman John Adams supported the Health Ministry's warning and recall.

"It is extremely concerning that traditional medicines are being sold which contain substances that can cause serious illness and may be fatal," he said in a statement.

The remedies to be withdrawn are:

* Guan Xin Su He capsules; Long Dan Xie Gan Wan pills; Zhiyuan Xinqinkeli sachets -- all contain aristolochic acid.

* Wei Ge Wang tablets -- contains prescription medicine sildenafil which is known to interfere with some heart medication and could be fatal to some individuals.

* Sang Ju Gan Mao Pian tablets -- contains diclofenac, a non -steroidal anti-inflammatory, and chlorpheniramine, an antihistamine.

* Yen Qiao Jie Du Pian capsules -- contains chlorpheniramine,

Diclofenac and Paracetamol.

The following five products contain prescription medicines:

* Niu Huang Jie Du Pian tablets -- contain arsenic.

* Xiaoke Wan pills -- contain glibenclamide, an antihyperglycaemic.

* Shuen Feng cream -- contains ketoconazole, an antifungal, and Clobetasol Proprionate, a cortcosteroid to control skin inflammation.

* Zentel Albendazole SK&F tablets -- contain albendazole.

* Dezhong Rhinitis drops - contain ephedrine hydrochloride.

- NZPA

Herald feature: Health