Ministry of Justice investigators yesterday said that they raided Tainan-based Hua Chang Biopharma (華昌製藥) and confiscated traditional Chinese medicine products, which officials said were made from untested and uncertified ingredients from China and might pose a danger to consumers due to presence of chemical residues and illegal substances.
Investigation Bureau officials in Changhua County said that they conducted raids over the past few days at the company’s headquarters and production plants — which manufactures traditional medicine, herbal tonics and “folk” remedies.
Investigators said that they confiscated more than 6 tonnes of “illegal medication products” allegedly made from ingredients sourced in China of questionable origin, and about 10,000 cartons of about 120 unlicensed products.
Hua Chang Biopharma has been in business for 60 years and has Good Manufacturing Practice certification, a government-issued badge of approval for product safety and hygiene standards.
Investigators said that Hua Chang Biopharma sold the packaged products through a subsidiary and a retailing company based in Changhua County, distributing to more than 40 pharmacies, as well as other retailers across Taiwan.
The bureau said it began monitoring Hua Chang’s activities after receiving reports that the company was engaged in producing “illegal medicine,” buying low-cost, uncertified Chinese-sourced ingredients from importers and merchants and grinding them into powder to create different products.
The bureau said the products were being sold for prices ranging from NT$200 to NT$1,000.
Hua Chang’s owner, surnamed Chen (陳), was taken in for questioning.
He said the company produces food products, not medical products, thus it should not be subjected to the more stringent safety standards and regulations for medication.
Investigators warned consumers not to purchase uncertified medical products, due to the possibility of harm to the health, with past test results showing that many Chinese ingredients of unknown origin used in traditional medicine contain excessive amounts of heavy metals, pesticides, chemical residue and other illegal substances.
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