Study reveals Chinese medicines contain Viagra, rat poison and endangered animals

[HuckleB]

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/12/11/study-reveals-chinese-medicines-contain-viagra-rat-poison-and-endangered-animals

"A study of 26 widely-available traditional Chinese medicines has found 90 per cent were not safe for human consumption because of undeclared illegal and dangerous substances.

Australian researchers at Curtin University, Murdoch University and the University of Adelaide used DNA sequencing, toxicology and heavy metal testing to screen the composition of 26 traditional Chinese medicines sold as flu and general wellness treatments, purchased from the Adelaide Markets.

The brands of medicines were not disclosed, but researchers said those tested were easily found in markets and retailers around Australia.

The results, published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports, found 92 per cent of the medicines tested contained at least one or more substances not listed on the label. Sixty per cent of the medicines contained more than one undeclared substance.

..."

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[upaloopa]

1. Is that a gun in your pants or are you glad

to see me?

No I just took some Chinese medications

[Faux pas]

2. I've always figured that

the Chinese didn't need to bomb us. They can slowly poison us with the food we import from them without inspection. Soft kill accomplished.

[longship]

3. There is no alternative medicine.

There is only medicine, based on science.

And the lack of regulations on supplements and other health products in the USA is despicable. Homeopathy is useless. And imports from Asia are as likely to do harm than any good.

We need strong regulation against this quackery.

[question everything]

4. What about "western" medicine manufactured in China? (nt)

[HuckleB]

5. That study needs to be done, too.

But there is no such thing as "western" medicine.

[NCarolinawoman]

6. ugh! I hear its the fillers in "western"

medicine you most must be aware of----fillers made in India and China and then sent to US.

[HuckleB]

7. There is no such thing as "western" medicine.

[womanofthehills]

8. Many US prescription drugs & ingredients made in China -

The critical ingredients for most antibiotics are made almost exclusively in China and India. The same is true for dozens of other crucial medicines, including the popular allergy medicine prednisone; metformin, for diabetes; and amlodipine, for high blood pressure.

Of the 1,154 pharmaceutical plants mentioned in generic drug applications to the Food and Drug Administration in 2007, only 13 percent were in the United States. Forty-three percent were in China, and 39 percent in India.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/20/business/worldbusiness/20iht-drug.1.19514627.html

[goldent]

10. I don't like the sound of this at all

Guess I need to write some letters.

When I see the source of food being China (e.g. fish) I write the store to tell them that I will not buy food sourced from China, and that I feel it is a rational stance. Not to say you can always trust US suppliers, but I'll take the odds.

My letters might not do that much good, but you never know when you plant a seed. I've had success on another food-related issue, although I assume me sending a letter was just a happy coincidence