January 30, 2013

Police and Department of Health officers have arrested a 54-year-old shop owner for illegal possession of an unregistered pharmaceutical product and Part I poison, during a raid today on a medicine company in Aberdeen.
 
Based on the department’s market surveillance system, the medicine company was found to possess a product known as TRANKAL Capsules. The product, which contains Part I poisons dexamethasone and indomethacin, is not a registered pharmaceutical product bearing a registration number on its label.
 
Both dexamethasone and indomethacin are prescription medicines, which should only be used under the advice of a medical doctor. Prescription medicines should only be supplied at pharmacies under the supervision of a registered pharmacist and upon the production of a doctor's prescription.
 
Dexamethasone is a steroid which can cause side-effects such as moon face, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, muscle atrophy, adrenal insufficiency and even osteoporosis.
 
Indomethacin is used to relieve pain and inflammation, and its known side-effects include gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, peptic ulcers and renal impairment.
 
The department urged the public not to buy and use unregistered pharmaceutical products, as they have not been evaluated by the Pharmacy & Poisons Board, and their safety, quality, and efficacy are not guaranteed.
 
People taking the product are advised to consult healthcare professionals.