The Ministry of Health and Welfare yesterday recalled 12 types of traditional Chinese medicine produced by Tainan-based Juang Chuen Ren Biotechnology Pharmaceutical Co (莊春仁生物科技製藥), while it is being investigated for allegedly manufacturing counterfeit drugs.
The Tainan Public Health Bureau and the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau conducted an inspection of Juang Chuen Ren and found that medicine was being manufactured in a food factory, the Department of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy said in a statement.
The medicine was also found to contain an unknown powder, and the company is suspected of contravening Article 82 of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act (藥事法), the department said.
Photo courtesy of the Kaohsiung Department of Health
Article 82 covers penalties for those suspected of manufacturing or importing counterfeit or prohibited drugs.
The act stipulates that the penalty for manufacturing counterfeit drugs is up to 10 years in prison or a fine of up to NT$100 million (US$3.1 million), department section chief Shih Hui-chuan (施惠娟) said.
The health ministry has ordered that 12 products be removed from shelves and is recalling all products that have already been sold or are still in stock.
The products being recalled are Juang Chuen Ren Guey Fuh Dih Huang Wan (桂附地黃丸), Ren Tsan Guh Chyuan Pills (人參固泉丸), Lih Daan Bao Gan Wan (利膽保肝丸), Zi Yun Gao (紫雲膏), Hsieh Kang Nen Ching Hsieh Wan (血康能清血丸), Liu Wei Di Huang San (六味地黃散), Chia Wei Huan Shao Wan (加味還少丸), Gardenia powder (梔子散), Scutellaria powder (黃芩散), Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan (金鎖固精丸), Sharen powder (砂仁散) and Ban Long Wan (斑龍丸).
The Tainan District Prosecutors’ Office is looking into which retailers the products were sold at and how many items need to be recalled, Shih said.
People who have purchased the products are advised to stop taking them and seek medical attention if they feel ill after use, she said.
The health ministry said that people who have questions about traditional Chinese medicine products they have purchased or are taking can check the Department of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy’s product permit inquiry page to see if the drug they are taking has been registered and is legal.
National Union of Chinese Medical Doctors’ Association official Chen Chao-tsung (陳潮宗) said that Juang Chuen Ren’s products are not sold in Chinese medicine clinics, but they are advertised on TV and radio, and are sold over the counter in pharmacies and cosmetics stores.
The standards for food factories and drug factories are not the same, he said.
The production of Chinese medicine must meet Good Manufacturing Practice guidelines, which include regulations on ingredient selection, manufacturing and storage conditions, he said, adding that even if one condition does not meet requirements, it can be considered counterfeit.
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