This page has been archived on the Web

Information identified as archived is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please contact us to request a format other than those available.

Information update

Unauthorized drugs that may pose serious risks to Canadians seized from retailers in B.C. and Ontario

Starting date:: December 23, 2015
Type of communication:: Information Update
Subcategory:: Drugs, Natural health products
Source of recall:: Health Canada
Issue:: Unauthorized products, Undeclared Substance
Audience:: General Public
Identification number:: RA-56428

Media enquiries
Public enquiries
Images

OTTAWA - Health Canada is informing Canadians that five unauthorized drugs that may pose serious risks were seized from retailers in B.C. and Ontario. The products were seized because they were labelled to contain prescription drugs, narcotic or found to contain a prescription drug that was not listed on the label. (See table below)

Drugs that contain prescription drug ingredients should only be taken under the supervision of a health professional because they are used to treat specific diseases, and may cause serious side effects.

Unauthorized drugs have not been approved by Health Canada which means that they have not been assessed for their safety, effectiveness and quality. As a result, they may contain ingredients not listed on the label, other additives and/or contaminated ingredients.

In addition, unauthorized drugs may lack the active ingredients Canadians would expect to help maintain and improve health or contain other ingredients that may interact with other medications and foods. For all of these reasons, these products could cause serious health effects.

What consumers should do:

Consult your health care provider about which health products are best for you and your family.
Read the label of drugs and natural health products as authorized products will contain either: an eight-digit DIN, a DIN-HM or a NPN on the label.
Authorized health products can be found by searching the Drug Product Database, Medical Devices Active Licence Listing (MDALL) and the Licensed Natural Health Product Database.
Report any adverse events to Health Canada.
Report complaints about health products to Health Canada by calling toll-free to 1-800-267-9675, or complete an online complaint form.

What retailers should know:

Selling unauthorized drugs in Canada is illegal.
When unauthorized drugs that may pose serious risks to health are identified on the Canadian market, Health Canada takes appropriate action to prevent further distribution of the products and informs Canadians.

List of unauthorized drugs
Product(s)	Ingredient(s)	Manufacturer/ Importer	Retailer	Action Taken
Mega Power	Tadalafil (prescription drug - not listed on product label)	K.S International	ShopForYou 108-1610 Robson St. Vancouver, B.C	Tested & seized at retail
Biseptol 480	Sulfamethoxazole Trimethoprim (prescription drug listed on product label)	Unknown	European Fine Food and Deli 11 Cundles Rd, Unit 2 Barrie, Ontario	Seized at retail
Naproxen Emo	Naproxen (prescription drug listed on product label)	Unknown	European Fine Food and Deli 11 Cundles Rd, Unit 2 Barrie, Ontario	Seized at retail
Oxycort	Oxytetracycline Hydrocortisone (prescription drug listed on product label)	Unknown	European Fine Food and Deli 11 Cundles Rd, Unit 2 Barrie, Ontario	Seized at retail
Herba Pini Syrop	Codeine (narcotic drug listed on the product label)	Unknown	European Fine Food and Deli, 11 Cundles Rd, Unit 2, Barrie, Ontario Wisla Bakery & Delicatessen 5980 Churchill Meadows Blvd, Unit 13 Mississauga, Ontario	Seized at retail