OTTAWA, ON, March 31, 2021 / CNW / –
Summary
- Some products: Several unauthorized health products (including eye drops, eye drops and acne gel) from Tokyo Beauty & Health Care at Richmond, BC
- Problem: The products are unauthorized and labeled to contain prescription drugs, which can pose serious health risks.
- What to do: Stop using these products. Consult your healthcare professional if you have used any of these products and have any health problems.
Problem
Health Canada seized several health products — including eye drops, eye drops and acne gel — from Tokyo Beauty & Health Care in Richmond, British Columbia (# 120, 8191 Westminster Highway) as they are not licensed and may pose serious health risks.
According to the product labels, the products contain prescription drugs (see table below for details). Prescription drugs should only be taken under the advice and supervision of a healthcare practitioner due to the risk of interactions with other drugs and side effects. Prescription drugs can only be sold legally on prescription.
Unauthorized health products have not been approved by Health Canada, which means they have not been evaluated for their safety, efficacy and quality and may pose serious health risks. They may contain ingredients, additives or contaminated ingredients that are not listed on the label. Additionally, they may not contain the active ingredients that Canadians would expect them to contain to help maintain and improve their health, or they may contain ingredients that could interact with other drugs and foods. For all these reasons, unauthorized health products could have serious health effects. Sell unauthorized health products in Canada is illegal.
Some of the unauthorized health products are packaged and labeled in Japanese characters. Therefore, information on ingredients, use, dosage and side effects may not be understood by all consumers.
Health Canada at previously entered unauthorized products sold by this retailer and will continue to take action to combat this illegal activity and educate Canadians as necessary.
Affected products
|
Product |
Risk |
|
Dalacin T Gel 1% |
Labeled (in Japanese) to contain clindamycin |
|
Kobayashi Aibon / Eyebon ALd eyewash station |
Labeled (in Japanese) to contain aminocaproic acid |
|
Eye wash Kobayashi Aibon / Eyebon Medicala Eye drops |
Labeled (in Japanese) to contain aminocaproic acid |
|
Eyewash Kobayashi Aibon / Eyebon Doux |
Labeled (in Japanese) to contain aminocaproic acid |
|
Contact Santen Santé Beauteye Eye drops |
Labeled (in Japanese) to contain neostigmine |
|
Santen Sante FX Neo (silver pack) Eye drops |
Labeled to contain neostigmine |
|
Santen Sante FX Neo (blue pack) Eye drops |
Labeled (in Japanese) to contain neostigmine |
|
Santen Sante FX Vplus (gold package) Eye drops |
Labeled to contain neostigmine |
|
Santen Sante FX Vplus (red pack) Eye drops |
Labeled (in Japanese) to contain neostigmine |
|
Santen Health PC Eye drops |
Labeled (in Japanese) to contain neostigmine |
What you should do
- Stop using these products. Consult your healthcare professional if you have used any of these products and have any health problems.
- Read product labels to verify that health products have been authorized for sale by Health Canada. Authorized health products have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), Natural Product Number (NPN), or Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM). You can also check if the products have been authorized for sale by searching Pharmaceuticals Database and Licensed Natural Health Products Database.
- Report any health product adverse events Where complaints at Health Canada.
Background
Aminocaproic acid: It is a prescription drug ingredient used to reduce bleeding in a variety of clinical situations. Exposure to aminocaproic acid in the eye can affect the eye itself, and the acid can be absorbed through tear ducts into the blood. Side effects can include watery eyes, vision changes, headache, dizziness, nausea, muscle weakness, and rash.
Clindamycin: In topical format (i.e. applied to the skin), it is a prescription antibiotic approved in Canada to treat bacterial infections, including those associated with acne. The product should not be used in people with a history of ulcerative colitis (inflamed bowel) or a history of inflamed bowel associated with the use of antibiotics (antibiotic-associated colitis). Side effects may include dry or scaly skin, peeling skin, a stinging or burning sensation on the skin, eye pain, itching, hives, redness, and gastrointestinal symptoms (such as than indigestion and gas). Safety and effectiveness in children under 12 years of age have not been established.
Neostigmine methyl sulfate: There are no approved eye drops containing neostigmine methyl sulfate on the Canadian market. In the past, drugs similar to neostigmine were used to treat glaucoma. These drugs are no longer widely used due to the large number of potential side effects related to the eyes, including blurred distance vision, frontal headaches, twitching eyelids, red eyes, cataracts, allergic reactions, iris cysts, retinal detachment and the potential to cause a specific type of glaucoma attack. In addition, absorption into the nose through the tear duct can cause serious cardiac and respiratory side effects.
Pictures:
For photos of these products, please visit the online security alert.
Also available in French
SOURCE Health Canada
For further information: For media information: Health Canada, (613) 957-2983, [email protected]; Public inquiries: (613) 957-2991, 1-866 225-0709, [email protected]
