Over 20% of Chinese medicine contains chemicals

Of the ten Chinese medicines containing fabricated agents, one was prescribed by a Chinese medical clinic.

The practice of mixing western medicine with Chinese medicine is forbidden under Taiwan’s Pharmaceutical Affairs act because the mixture can cause severe negative side affects, said Chen Jen-hung, chairman of the Consumers’ Foundation. Violators face a maximum prison sentence of seven years and a maximum monetary fine of NT$5 million (US$150,000).

Chinese medicinal products are most often used for kidney enhancement, weight reduction, pain relief, uric acid control and Chinese physiotherapy. The CF survey found traces of sildenafil citrate (Viagra) in samples of Chinese kidney enhancement medicine. Some drugs claiming to be Chinese weight loss medicine contained caffeine and clobenzorex, both of which are addictive, the latter banned in Taiwan.

“Consumers who feel excited and energetic and have trouble sleeping after taking Chinese medicine should be alert to the possibility that their medicines contain Western drugs,” warned Chen Wang-chuan, a traditional Chinese doctor at Jen-Ai hospital.

According to Chen, Chinese medicines are made with natural ingredients and have a natural smell whereas medicine mixed with Western ingredients has a “pungent and chemical smell.”

To further protect themselves, consumers should refrain from purchasing Chinese medicine from abroad since traditional Chinese doctors overseas abide by different medical regulations, Chen added.

In its consumer alert, the CF encouraged consumers to purchase Chinese medicine from a licensed doctor or off the shelf Chinese medicines that have the GMP-certified label.

Consumers who are uncertain of the ingredients contained in the Chinese medicine they are taking can send a sample to the Consumers’ Foundation for testing from now through October 26th.

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