March 20: The Drug Regulatory Authority (DRA) has banned the sale of seven pharmaceutical products in medical shops.

Ngawang Dema, the officiating head of the DRA, said the sale of these medicines has been prohibited because they are found to cause adverse effects to vital organs.

The seven medicines which have been banned are Astemizole, Cisapride, Rofecoxib, Terfenadine, Nemisulide, Valdecoxib and Phenylpropanolamine.

Astemizole is taken orally to relieve allergic symptoms. It has been banned because it has serious side effects on the heart. Cisapride is used for constipation, stomach upset, and indigestion. It causes irregular beating of the heart.

Nimesulide is a pain killer. It harms the liver especially in children and babies.
Rofecoxib and Valdecoxib are also pain killers. They have been banned because of possible increased risks of heart attack, strokes and life threatening skin reactions.

Phenylpropanolamine, a tablet used to relieve stuffy nose and nasal congestion has also been banned. It has causes rupturing of blood vessels in the brain thereby causing stroke.

Terfenadine, used for curing runny nose, sneezing, itching of nose and itchy watery eyes, is prohibited for sale in medical shops because it causes serious side effects mainly involving changes in the heart rhythm.

Ngawang Dema the officiating head at the Health Ministry’s Drug Regulatory Authority said the Drug Regulatory Authority is still conducting research to identify medicines with harmful side effects.