Jakarta Post Jun 8, 2009 

Indonesia's food and drug agency withdraws 60 traditional medicines
 

It claims products contain traces of dangerous chemicals.

The Food and Drug Supervising Agency (BPOM) has ordered the withdrawal of 60 traditional medicines and food supplements from the shelves and told its branches across the country to seek out and destroy the products it claims contains traces of dangerous chemicals.

BPOM chief Husniah Rubiana Thamrin said the products contained one or more of the substances sibutramin hydrochloride, sildenaphil citrate, tadalafil, dexametason, fenilbutason, mephenamate acid, metamphirone and paracetamol.

Under Law No. 23/1992 on health, she said, those who produce traditional medicines containing these chemical substances could face five years in jail or a maximum fine of Rp 100 million (US$10,000).

Anyone caught distributing the products could receive a maximum seven-year jail sentence or a Rp 140 million fine.

Similarly, under Law No. 8/1999 on consumer protection, anyone producing or distributing the products could face five years in jail.

Husniah urged the public not to purchase or consume these products as they contained dangerous substances and could even lead to death.

Sibutramin hidrochloride, for instance, could suddenly lead to increased blood pressure, heart rate and kidney damage, while tadalaphil could cause headaches, nausea and even death, she said.

The banned traditional medicines and supplements include Qianjiali slimming pills, New Pro Slim capsules, King Cobra 10X Stronger powder, Tang Pe Fu powder, Tangkur Buaya Super capsules, World Quick Strong capsules and Pegal Linu Cap Putri Sakti.

--Jakarta Post/Asia News Network