A cough relief product was found to have been adulterated with a controlled substance and has been banned from being imported or sold in the country, announced the Ministry of Health (MoH) yesterday.
According to the ministry, Margaritae Cough Capsules in the country have been found to have been adulterated with chlorpheniramine. The ministry said the substance was undeclared, and was scheduled as a poison under the Poisons Act.
“The adulterant found in these products can cause adverse effects that are potentially hazardous,” the ministry said, adding that this included dizziness, lowering of blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, confusion, depression and convulsions.
The ministry said it has not issued approval for the importation for the sale of the product. “Following these findings, the product is not allowed to be imported and sold in Brunei Darussalam.”
The ministry advised anyone who has used the product to stop immediately and consult a medical practitioner if they feel unwell or experience any undesirable reactions.
The ministry reminded that anyone involved in the retail of the product, including online retailers (via Facebook, etc), that it is an offence under the Poisons Act to sell substances controlled under the Act.
The penalty upon conviction is a fine of BND8,000 or six months’ imprisonment, or BND16,000 and 12 months’ imprisonment if the offence is found to have a degree of negligence that would or likely would endanger human life.
The ministry urged the public to report to the Compliance and Licensing Section if any of these products are still found on the market in the country.
For information, the public may contact the Compliance and Licensing Section at 2393301 extension 208; send an e-mail to pharmacy.enforcement@moh.gov.bn; visit First Floor, Compliance and Licensing Section, Department of Pharmaceutical Services’ Building, Kampong Madaras, Mukim Gadong A; or call the Darussalam Line 123.
