Health Canada Issues Warning for `Herbal' Products Containing Undeclared Prescription Drugs

OTTAWA--Health Canada issued a warning not to use seven "herbal" products made by Brea, Calif.-based BotanicLab, because they contain undeclared prescription drugs. When INSIDER called BotanicLab for comment, a pre-recorded message said the company had shut down operations effective June 1.

Traces of three prescription drugs were found in all seven products, according to Health Canada (www.healthcanada.com). The drugs were indomethacin, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug marketed for easing pain and fever; diethylstilbestrol (DES), a nonsteroidal estrogen and a known carcinogen; and alprazolam, an anti-anxiety drug.

The seven products, marketed as Traditional Chinese Medicine, were sold under the names Arthrin (for joint health), Osporo (for skeletal health), Poena (for relaxing muscles), Neutralis (for immune health), 5OA Plus (for joint and tendon health), RA SPES (for flexibility) and Hepastat (for liver health). Indomethacin was found in all seven "herbal" products, DES in Arthrin and Osporo, and alprazolam in Arthrin, 5OA Plus and RA SPES.

This is not BotanicLab's first incidence of alleged prescription drug contamination in its herbal products. In early February, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced BotanicLab's PC SPES and SPES were voluntarily recalled by the company when products were found to contain a prescription blood thinner (PC SPES) and anxiety drug (SPES). Afterwards, the products were also recalled in Canada and Ireland. During the scrutiny of these two products, BotanicLab stated that better quality control standards were being implemented and that it hoped to re-issue PC SPES products by summer.

However, that idea appears to be null and void now that the company has stopped operations and has taken down its Web site (www.botaniclab.com). In a pre-recorded message, the company advises customers to leave their name and number regarding questions about products or receiving a refund check for their PC SPES product (no other products are mentioned in the message). The company stated it takes a week to get back to customers and another 10 to 12 weeks after receiving returned product to issue a refund check. The number is (800) 458-5854.