Public advisory - Unauthorized health products seized from two Facebook Marketplace sellers, Pinas-Sabay Canada and Y&Y Online Retail Français
OTTAWA, ON, July 18, 2023 /CNW/ -
- Product: Unauthorized health products labelled to contain prescription drugs
- Issue: Health products – Unauthorized product, Product safety
- What to do: Do not use these products. Return them to your local pharmacy for proper disposal. Consult a health care professional if you have used any of these products and have health concerns. Prescription drugs can only be legally sold to consumers in Canada with a prescription. Only buy prescription drugs from licensed pharmacies.
Product
|
Promoted use |
Prescription drug on the label |
Dolfenal Mefenamic Acid |
Pain relief |
Labelled to contain mefenamic acid |
Solmux Carbocisteine |
Mucolytic (mucus thinner) |
Labelled to contain carbocisteine |
Trust - Lady Ethinyl Estradiol |
Birth control |
Labelled to contain levonorgestrel |
Maxi Peel exfoliant solution 1
|
Skin exfoliant |
Labelled to contain tretinoin |
Maxi Peel exfoliant solution 2
|
Skin exfoliant |
Labelled to contain tretinoin |
Maxi Peel exfoliant solution 3
|
Skin exfoliant |
Labelled to contain tretinoin |
RDL Babyface solution
|
Acne treatment and Skin |
Labelled to contain tretinoin |
Brilliant Skin Essentials |
Skin whitening |
Labelled to contain tretinoin |
Health Canada seized various unauthorized health products from Pinas-Sabay Canada and Y&Y Online Retail, online Facebook Marketplacesellers based in Surrey, B.C. These unauthorized health products are labelled to contain prescription drugs and may pose serious health risks.
Selling or advertising unauthorized health products in Canada is illegal. Unauthorized health products have not been approved by Health Canada, which means that they have not been assessed for safety, efficacy and quality and may pose a range of serious health risks. For example, they could contain high-risk ingredients, such as prescription drugs, additives or contaminants that may or may not be listed on the label. These ingredients could interact with other medications and foods. In addition, these products may not actually contain the active ingredients that consumers would expect them to contain to help maintain and improve their health.
Prescription drugs should only be used under the advice and supervision of a health care professional because they are used to treat specific conditions and may cause serious side effects.
- Do not use these products. Return products to your local pharmacy for proper disposal.
- Consult a health care professional if you have used any of these products and have health concerns.
- Only buy prescription drugs from licensed pharmacies.
- 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 Drug Number (DIN-HM). You can also check whether products have been authorized for sale by searching Health Canada's Drug Product Database and Licensed Natural Health Product Database.
- Report any health product-related side effects or complaints to Health Canada.
Background
Carbocisteine is a prescription drug that is not approved for use in Canada. It is used in other countries to treat conditions associated with too much mucus in the respiratory tract. Side effects include diarrhea, nausea and heartburn. Serious allergic (e.g., anaphylactic) and skin reactions have been reported with its use. Carbocisteine can disrupt the lining of the stomach and can cause gastrointestinal bleeding in the elderly, those with a history of peptic ulcers, or patients taking medications known to cause gastrointestinal bleeds such as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The use of carbocisteine by pregnant people is not recommended.
Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol, when taken in combination, are used as an oral contraceptive to prevent pregnancy. Unauthorized prescription oral contraceptives may be ineffective in preventing pregnancy when not used as directed by a physician. Oral contraceptives containing levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol should not be taken by those allergic to any ingredients contained in these products or by those who are pregnant, as the oral contraceptive will be ineffective. Patients with blood clots, bleeding disorders, heart and circulatory system conditions or diseases (e.g., stroke, heart attack, or high blood pressure), high cholesterol or triglycerides, diabetes with complications, liver disease, cancer, or taking hepatitis C drug combinations, should consult a physician prior to taking oral contraceptives containing levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol. There are authorized oral contraceptives containing levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol available in Canada.
Mefenamic acid, when taken orally (by mouth), is a prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is used to relieve muscle aches, headaches, dental pain and menstrual pain. It should only be taken under the supervision of a health care professional. This drug increases the risk of serious heart-related events (such as heart attack and stroke), high blood pressure, stomach or intestinal bleeding or ulcers, severe kidney or liver problems, and bleeding or clotting problems. Serious allergic reactions can occur, including skin rash and itching, that may also be in combination with chills, aches and other flu-like symptoms.
Tretinoin in topical format (applied to the skin) is a prescription drug used to treat acne. It should only be taken under the supervision of a health care professional. Topical tretinoin should not be used during pregnancy as it has been associated with birth defects. It should also not be used by those who are breastfeeding or by children under 12 years old, or by individuals who have inflamed or irritated skin, have a previous skin cancer or undiagnosed skin lesions, who are taking medicines that make their skin more sensitive to light, or who have an allergy to tretinoin. Tretinoin may cause pain, irritation, itchiness, redness, or swelling at the site of application. It may damage skin, change skin colour, and increase sensitivity to sunlight or tanning beds, causing sunburns. Using tretinoin in combination with hydroquinone may increase some of the side effects of tretinoin.
Également disponible en français
SOURCE Health Canada
Media Enquiries: Health Canada, (613) 957-2983, [email protected]; Public Enquiries: (613) 957-2991, 1-866 225-0709, [email protected]
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