Health Canada, Feb 28, 2001
2001-22
February 28, 2001
Warning
Warning not to
consume traditional Chinese medicines containing tricosanthes and
indicated for use in children
OTTAWA - Health Canada is warning consumers not to use Bao Ji
Wan Pills or Chinese Modular Solutions Chest Relief Tablets. These two
herbal products are indicated for use in children and labelled to contain
the ingredients Tricosanthes kirilowii and Magnolia
officinalis bark. These ingredients are considered highly toxic and
pose a serious health hazard, particularly to children.
The herb Tricosanthes kirilowii contains tricosanthin alkaloid,
which is known to cause mutations in human cells and malformations in
embryos, suppress the immune system, and produce severe allergic
reactions. The safe and effective dose of this herb is not known.
Magnolia officinalis bark contains turbocurarine and related
substances which are known to cause respiratory paralysis in animals and
may be toxic to infants and small children, even when used as directed.
Both Bao Ji Wan Pills and Chinese Modular Solutions Chest Relief
Tablets have been assessed by Health Canada and found to pose a Type I
health hazard, which means there is a reasonable probability that the use
of or exposure to the product will cause serious adverse health
consequences or death.
To date, no incidents of adverse or toxic reactions to these products
have been reported in Canada. Products found on the Canadian market that
contain these ingredients will be assessed by Health Canada as they are
identified.
Bao Ji Wan (Pill), 74 grams, is manufactured in Guang Zou, China. It
should be noted that Bao Ji Wan Pills resemble another product which has
the same name in Chinese characters, but is manufactured in Hong Kong. The
Hong Kong product has been approved by Health Canada for sale in Canada.
The best way to differentiate these two products is to check the label for
the country of origin.
The product, Chinese Modular Solutions Chest Relief Tablets, is
promoted for use in children and is labelled to contain Tricosanthes
kirilowii seed and several other ingredients whose compounded effects
and high concentrations can be toxic to children. This product is
manufactured by Kan Herb Company, 60001 Butler Lane, Scotts Valley,
California, 95066.
This warning will be distributed to the Chinese Chamber of Herbal
Medicines of Canada, associations of Chinese importers and Ayurvedic
medicine, the Canadian Medical Association, the Canadian Pharmacists
Association of Canada, Provincial and Territorial Ministries of Health,
Poison Control Centres and other relevant associations.
Consumers are advised that products that carry an eight-digit Drug
Identification Number (DIN) on the label have been assessed by Health
Canada for safety, effectiveness and quality and are authorized for sale
in Canada by Health Canada as they meet the requirements of the Food
and Drugs Act and Regulations.
The text in this article was prepared by Health Canada.