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| Sunday, 1 December 2002 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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'Quick fixes' how safe are they? by Shanika Sriyananda Liyanage They are promoted as 'quick fixes' that can help cure anything from Alzheimer's disease to obesity, rheumatoid arthritis and zits, remove wrinkles, revitalise youth and even prolong life. They come with the added attraction of being available over-the-counter, minus the hassle of waiting in long queues for a doctor's appointment and a prescription. Comparatively they are also relatively cheap. But the biggest allure is perhaps for those looking for an easy way out to lose weight. Sans strict diet regiments, tough work- outs and rear starvation, these 'quick fix' pills and drinks sound like 'Manna from heaven' for the body conscious. 'Wonder drugs' many call them, often taken in by the hype, promulgated by pharmaceutical companies about the efficacy of these pills, capsules, emulsions and lotions. The hype is often further intensified by beautiful people vouching for these products, and money back guarantees. How wonderful are these wonder drugs? Should they be sold over the counter along with harmless analgesics? And more significantly, how safe are they? And What are the laws regarding the importation and sale of these drugs? 'THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU TAKE THESE DRUGS', warn health experts who caution about possible health hazards relating to these pharmaceutical products which need much research before their efficacy and safety can be determined. With self medication becoming a popular concept, along with the trend to become slim or look younger, this has become a booming industry, not just in the Western world but also in Sri Lanka. But is there any substance to back the health claims, especially since there has been no research carried out so far on the subject in any part of the world? The dubiousness of these wonder drugs, came to the limelight following a recent detection of some consignments of 'dietary supplements' belonging to a wholesale pharmaceutical distributor in Dehiwela. The supplements detected by a team of Food and Drug Inspectors of the Drug Regulatory Authority (DRA) included glucosamine sulphate (claiming to help maintain healthy joints and cartilage. Each capsule contains 500 mg), anti-fat (reduces fats and control weight naturally), anti-cholesterol (keeps the blood vessels clean and lowers cholesterol) and vitamin B with Enzyme syrup. Over 5670 - 100 ml bottles of Enzyme syrup in 'amamath red' colour, which is not approved in Sri Lanka, were also detected among the consignment. According to DRA officials, these drugs had not been registered in Sri Lanka, either under the Cosmetics, Devices and Drugs Act or the Food Act. Since there is no law and Custom restrictions applied to these 'wonder drugs,' there is nothing to hamper importers from bringing in large quantities of these drugs easily. However, of recent, the Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Welfare has appointed a committee to keep a tab on these items in a bid to implement new guidelines on their registration. The six-member committee, headed by Dr. Manil Fernando, Deputy Director General of Health Services, comprises Dr. B. F. S. Samaranayake, Director Medical Supplies, S. Nagiah, the Chief Food and Drug Inspector, Dr. Janaka Munasinghe, Dr. (Mrs) Chandrani Piyasena, nutritionist from the Medical Research Institute (MRI), and B. S. Mendis. Although, some of the dietary supplements are advertised in Sri Lanka, it is illegal in most of the countries, unless the product is registered as a medicine. Under these restrictions, printing wordings such as 'this product prevents heart disease' or this product 'lowers blood pressure' on a label is an offence. The committee, is expected to prepare a report on the legal aspect of registering these items with the DRA. "There are over 100 such supplements in the local market which are not registered as drugs or food items in Sri Lanka, since they do not come under the drug items described in the Cosmetics, Devices and Drugs Act or the Food Act", P. Madarasinghe and Alwis Karunaratne, Food and Drug Inspectors of the DRA, who conducted the raid, said. According to Madarasinghe, there is no restriction on the import of these items and anyone would can easily get the clearance from the Customs Department. "There may be nutritional value in these supplements but their direct or indirect health hazards are still unclear. There is no particular authority on these items and no research on dietary supplements has ever been conducted here. This phenomena is a world wide threat", he said. Madarasinghe also said that the alarming number of patients with kidney and liver failures and cancer might be due to the avoidance of a 'balanced diet' and taking more dietary supplements. "This needs a thorough study. Some ingredients in these supplements have true medicinal value, but it is doubtful whether the manufacturer uses the required amount of the particular ingredient to get the real benefit", he added. According to Madarasinghe, strict action should be taken to control these drugs reaching the country and their registration under the DRA, especially since there is a high demand for weight reducing supplements among the people. The profit minded businessmen may influence and mislead consumers with attractive advertisements using popular figures in society and that they have lost weight by a particular product. But, you-the consumer-have the right and the choice. A greater responsibility lies with you. "Any product with attractive claims should not be bought unless your doctor has recommended it. Consumers should be more intelligent with the latest technology", said Dr. Piyasena. Here are some of the commonly used dietary supplements in Sri Lanka * Beepollen: Consists of flower pollen and nectar from male seed flowers and has protein, carbohydrates, minerals and essential fatty acids and small amount of Vitamin B and C. This is claimed to be useful for improving prostatitis and benign prostatic hypertrophy and reducing the risk of atherosclerosis, hypertension and varicose veins. Adverse effects: this may cause allergic reactions, which include nausea, vomiting and anaphylaxis and will promote hyperglycaemia in diabetes. * Evening primrose oil: This is derived from the seeds of 'oenothera biennis' and other species. * Vitamin E: Daily requirement of Vitamin is probably 3 to 15 mg and this has been tried out for various conditions, but there is little scientific evidence of its value. * Aloe vera: This is the mucilaginous substance obtained from the cental parenchymatous tissues of the large blade-like leaves of Aloe vera. Aloe vera, which is used externally, acts as a moisturiser and reduces inflammation, contains polsaccharides, tannins, sterols, saponnis, vitamins, minerals, cholesterol and gamma-linolenic acid. There are evidence that oral aloe vera may be useful for lowering blood glucose levels in diabetes and reducing blood lipid levels in hyperlipidamia. * Ginseng: This is the dried root of 'panax ginseng' and the plant is mostly grown in the Central Himalayas, Chain, Korea, Japan and North America. This is available in the form of tablets, capsules, tea, powder and tinctures. Ginseng, which is an ancient remedy used for thousand years in the East, is not claimed to cure any specific disease. But, it is claimed to be used for alleviating symptoms of tiredness, headaches, improving sexual vigour and preventing impotence, preventing signs of old age and extending youth and reducing the risk of cancer. * Selenium: Epidemiological research and evidence state that this may reduce cancer, but the role of selenium in heart disease is unclear. This is available mainly in 'antioxidant' supplements with vitamin E and A and is also an ingredient in multivitamin supplements. The adverse effects are hair loss, nail changes, skin lesions, nausea, diarrhoea, irritability, metallic taste and fatigue. Source : 'Dietary Supplements' by Pamela Mason What is dietary supplement A product (other than tobacco) that is intended to supplement the diet which bears or contains one or more of the following dietary ingredients: a vitamin, a mineral, a herb or other botanical, an amino acid, a dietary substance for use by man to supplement the diet by increasing the total daily intake, or a concentrate, metabolite, constituent, extract or combinations of these ingredients. It is intended for ingestion in pill, capsule, tablet or liquid form, is not represented for use as a conventional food or as the sole item of a meal or diet and is labelled as a dietary supplement. Source: The USA 'Dietary Supplement Health Education Act of 1994' Why people are interested in 'wonder drugs'? * To improve overall health and fitness * To prolong vitality and delay the onset of age associated problems * As a tonic or 'pick-me-up' when feeling rundown or after illness * For symptoms of stress * Recommended by an alternative health practitioner or health professional * Pregnancy * Slimming * Smoking * To improve performance and body building in sports and athletics * To prevent or treat various signs and symptoms such as colds,
cardiovascular disease, cancer, poor sight, skin problems, arthritis,
premenstrual syndrome, etc,.) Beware of slimming tablets Fatalities due to slimming tablets have not been reported yet in Sri Lanka. But, an incident which happened in Singapore last year will ring the alarm bell for local people whose desire to be 'slim' without lots of exercise and a balance diet. According to the news report published in 'The Straits Times', the 'Slim 10 weight loss' pill killed one woman, and made 14 persons ill. These victims suffered liver failure and underwent liver transplants. |
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