Health Ministry: 'Pak Li Medicated Plaster' contains scheduled poison

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The Health Ministry has advised the public to avoid buying and using a traditional product called "Pak Li Medicated Plaster" as it has been found to contain the scheduled poison diphenhydramine.

Its director, Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah (pic), said the registration of the product was cancelled on Dec 5 after diphenhydramine, which was not allowed in its formulation, was found in it.

He said diphenhydramine is an antihistamine which is controlled under the Poison Act 1952 and can only be prescribed by a doctor or pharmacist.

“Diphenhydramine is used to relieve allergies and its side effects when used topically include rashes, itchiness and sensitivity to light, ” he said in a statement today.

Dr Noor Hisham said sellers and distributors of the product must stop selling and distributing it immediately as it contravened the Sale of Drugs Act 1952 and the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984.

"Individuals who commit an offence under the Regulations can be fined up to RM25,000 or jailed up to three years or both for the first offence and fined up to RM50,000 or jailed up to five years or both for subsequent offences.

“A company which commits an offence will be fined up to RM50,000 for the first offence and RM100,000 for subsequent offences," he said.

He added that anyone who is still using the product are advised to immediately stop and to get advice from health professionals if they experience discomfort or any adverse effects.

“Anyone can check the registration status of a product through www.npra.gov.my or download the "NPRA Product Status" application from the Google Play Store," he said. - Bernama