Press Releases
Herbal Pill Found Adulterated With Codeine
25 November 2000
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25 Nov 2000
The Ministry of Health draws the attention of the public to one herbal pill tested and found to be adulterated with codeine. The details of the product are as follows:
Table caption
Product name | Brand | Batch no. | Manufacturer (Information provided by importer) | Indications as stated on the packaging |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Kang Wei Ling | Bus Brand | Not stated on label | Taizhou Nanfeng Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, China | For treatment of old aged weakness and weak back for male. |
The presence of codeine was not declared on the label. This poses a danger as prolonged use of codeine can produce dependence and lead to abuse. Some common side effects of codeine include nausea, vomiting, constipation, confusion, difficulty in urination, hallucination, and slowing of heart rate. Overdose of codeine can lead to respiratory depression and possibly death.
All medicinal products containing codeine are controlled as western medicinal products and must be registered with the Ministry before they are allowed to be sold.
Anyone in possession of the affected product is advised to either destroy the product or surrender the product to the Inspectorate Section, National Pharmaceutical Administration at 2 Jalan Bukit Merah, Singapore 169547 for disposal.
It is an offence under the Poisons Act to sell herbal preparations adulterated with codeine. The penalty for an offence under the Poisons Act is a fine of up to $10,000 or up to 2 years imprisonment or both.
For further information, please call the National Pharmaceutical Administration at telephone No: 3255412 during office hours.