Bangkok –
The Consumer Protection Police Division along with The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced successful raids of two factories yesterday, September 10, following reports of an illegal medicine factory and repackaging of used medical gloves.
In the first raid, the authorities had seized 400,000 packages of alleged fake herbal medicine under the brand called ‘Chindamanee’ in five provinces, including Maha Sarakham, Kamphaengphet, Khon Kaen, Phitsanulok, and Lopburi.
The medicine was falsely detailed with a drug formula and FDA registration number. They had also reportedly included steroids and painkillers instead of actual pain-relief herbs, according to the police.
FDA deputy secretary-general Suphattra Bunserm told the Associated Press that the Chindamanee herbal medicine has been on the market since 2017 and is mostly sold in the rural areas of Thailand. The medicine is popular among elderly patients who like to relieve muscle aches by themselves without going to a hospital.
She told the press: “Chindamanee is popular with elderly patients because it cures their body-aches in the blink of an eye. But never did they know that it consists of a high volume of steroids that could cause osteoporosis and gastritis especially in the elderly.”
Five suspects who were allegedly involved in manufacturing and selling unregistered drugs were also arrested. Initially, they will face charges for up to 3 years in prison and a fine up to 300,000 baht under the Herbal Products Act B.E.2562 (2019).
The second case involves the confiscation of over 900,000 pairs of allegedly used medical gloves worth nearly ten million baht at a health company factory in Bangkok after the authorities received a report that the company had allegedly repackaged used Nitrile gloves into new boxes, ready for sale.
The used gloves, according to the police investigation, were reportedly imported overseas into Thailand before being repackaged in Bangkok. They also do not meet government standards to be used in the medical field.
Panyo Health Planet company’s president Pantayod Akamornrapong was arrested for allegedly producing medical instruments without company registration and for producing unsafe medical instruments under the Medical Device Act B.E. 2551 (2008).