• 地點:臺灣
• 發布日期: 2023/07/18
• 單位:衛生福利部食品藥物管理署
• 更新日期:2023/07/18
• 點閱次數:54

The summer vacation has arrived, and the peak travel season has begun. When traveling abroad or online shopping, the general public can access a wide variety of products. The Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (henceforth TFDA) reminds the general public to avoid purchasing and consuming products of unknown origin, unclear labeling, or exaggerated therapeutic effects, let alone pharmaceutical products not approved by non-local health authorities. Furthermore, the general public is advised not to treat pharmaceutical products as general merchandise, local specialties, or souvenirs to be given to friends and family so as not to endanger health through the addition of banned toxic substances to pharmaceutical products.

According to the TFDA, customs officials intercepted a package of laxatives from Japan that Taiwanese frequently purchase when traveling to Japan. However, the contents of the capsules were green and white, which is inconsistent with the pink tablets in the original product. Upon testing, the TFDA found that the product contains Sibutramine and phenolphthalein. The TFDA had long since revoked the permit for drugs containing these ingredients. Sibutramine is an ingredient found in the formerly popular weight-loss drug “Reductil,” and is known to cause heart palpitations, arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, and even death. Phemolphthalein, on the other hand, is a laxative that can promote defecation, but its long-term use can cause abdominal pain, electrolytic imbalance, and could potentially cause cancer.

In addition, between 2016 and the end of May 2017, the TFDA analyzed 16 suspected counterfeit Viagra samples with a nearly identical appearance to the genuine product. The results of the tests reveal that all of the products were counterfeit, with some containing ingredients that can cause severe side effects, such as Chloramphenicol, 2-Mercaptobenzoxazole, and Sulpyrine. Chloramphenicol can cause severe aplastic anemia, 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole is a carcinogen, and Sulpyrine can cause granulocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, and aplastic anemia, in addition to other severe side effects.      

The TFDA advises the public against purchasing prescription medications online. Purchase and consumption of prescription drugs without a doctor’s diagnosis, disregarding proper doses and usage, contraindications, and side effects, etc., as well as the addition of other ingredients, can be harmful to the body, not to mention ineligibility to apply for domestic drug relief, money spent, and harm to the body. If a citizen experiences physical discomfort, he or she must seek immediate medical attention, acquire pharmaceutical products approved by Taiwan through legal channels, and only consume pharmaceutical products manufactured by legitimate pharmaceutical companies. As a result of testing, the TFDA has published information regarding disqualified foods, western pharmaceutical products containing traditional Chinese medicine, counterfeit drugs or prohibited drugs, etc. in its disqualified products section. The public can search for products online and view any related violation records.

The TFDA reminds the general public that imported pharmaceuticals must not be displayed or sold in order to avoid breaking the law. In accordance with Article 82 of the Pharmaceuticals Act, “Any person who manufactures or imports counterfeit drugs or prohibited drugs shall be subject to punishment with imprisonment for a period of not more than ten (10) years and may in addition thereto, be imposed with a fine of not more than NT$100,000,000”; In accordance with Article 83 of the Pharmaceuticals Act, “Any person who knowingly sells, supplies, or displays with intent to sell counterfeit drugs or prohibited drugs shall be punished with imprisonment of not more than seven (7) years and may, in addition thereto, be imposed with a fine of not more than NT$50,000,000.”