The Health Sciences Authority (HAS), Singapore has banned four Indian ayurvedic medicines, including Diabecon anti-diabetic tablets manufactured by Himalaya, citing tests have shown to contain excessive amounts of lead and mercury. Following the Singapore authority decision, the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has alerted the public in England not to use Diabecon.

It may be noted that Health Canada and UK MHRA had banned a few ayurvedic products from India recently for the same reasons, citing adverse study reports and a subsequent article published in JAMA.

The other banned drugs are Rheuma-7 capsules for joint pain, back pain and muscular pain, manufactured by Annai Aravindh Herbals, Laurel Herbal capsules for general weakness of diabetes manufactured by Laurel herbal products, Chennai, Goodcare Diabet Guard Granules manufactured by Goodcare Pharma Pvt. Ltd. with product claim of 'effective in controlling blood sugar and allied complications'. The agency said that while Diabecon contained lead above the permissible limit of 20ppm, Rheuma-7 contained mercury above the permissible limit of 0.5ppm, Laurel Herbal capsules contained mercury above the permissible limit of 0.5ppm, Diabet Guard contained lead above the permissible limit of 20ppm.

The agency said investigation has indicated that these products are not widely distributed in Singapore and only small quantities were brought in each time from overseas by retailers to meet the needs of specific customer groups. HSA advises consumers not to consume the four products.

"Those who are taking these products should discontinue their use and seek medical advice should they be concerned about their health. The remaining stocks of the products should be appropriately disposed of," said HSA.

As per the rules in Singapore, it is an offence under the Medicines Act for anyone to sell products that contain excessive amounts of heavy toxic metals above the legal permissible limits. They are liable, upon conviction, to a fine of up to $5000 or to imprisonment for a term of up to two years or to both.

Indian traditional medicines are currently exempted from medicine registration requirements in Singapore provided they do not contain Western medicinal ingredients. However, they are subject to other controls under the Medicines Act, like advertisement controls and limits imposed on toxic heavy metals.

While the use of heavy metals in the treatment of specific ailments is practised in certain branches of traditional medicines, consumption of excessive amounts of heavy metals such as lead and mercury poses serious health risks as they can accumulate in vital body organs. Symptoms of lead and mercury toxicity include abdominal pain, vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, kidney damage and impairment of the nerves and mental function, according to the regulatory agency.