Health Ministry bans traditional plaster containing scheduled poisons

PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry has issued a warning against the use of the "Herbun Plaster" as the traditional product contains diphenhydramine, a scheduled poison.

The product had its registration cancelled by the Ministry on Oct 3 after it detected the use of the poison, which is not allowed in traditional products such as the plaster which is registered as a traditional product for aches and pains.

According to Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that is controlled under the Poisons Act 1952 and can only be prescribed by doctors or pharmacists.

"Diphenhydramine is used to relieve allergic reactions. The additional effects include rashes, itches, and increased sensitivity to sunlight," he said in a statement on Tuesday (Oct 8).

He added that those selling and distributing the product could be fined up to RM25,000 and jailed for no more than three years for the first offence.

Dr Noor also advised the public to stop using the product immediately and to get medical advice if they feel any adverse effects after using it.

The public can check the registration status of a product through the website www.npra.gov.my or download the application NPRA Product Status from the Google Play Store.