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Snake oil health supplement claims face scrutiny
The influx of food supplements with false claims of healing diseases that cause 75 per cent of deaths in Sri Lanka has pushed the government into regulating “borderline products” in the pharmaceuticals market.
The Health Ministry said thousands of food supplements with claims of addressing health problems from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes are being imported and sold to unsuspecting customers who believe in the efficacy of the product as told to them by prescribing pharmacists and doctors.
In 2015, a survey conducted by the World Health Organisation found one in every five people dies prematurely from NCDs. Pharmaceutical companies and importers of nutraceutical products have found a niche market where customers are taken for a ride on false promises of curing, reducing or preventing such diseases.
These products include body-building substances, green food, blood-thinning medications, dietary supplements for weight loss, “beauty” capsules and multi-vitamins. Self-proclaimed stores on social media boast of being the biggest suppliers of food supplements.
The National Medicinal Regulatory Authority (NMRA) of the Health Ministry has been given the task of drafting regulations under the NMRA Act of 2015 which now has categorised the products as “borderline products”.
A borderline product is defined as one that has combined characteristics of medicines and foods, or medicines and medical devices, or medicines and cosmetics.
The regulations, still in drafting stage, are expected to come into force towards the end of this year.
From 2019, NMRA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Kamal Jayasinghe said, all importers will have to register such products under the “borderline” category. Applications would be vetted and products tested in quality assurance laboratories for intended use and mode of action.
Each product’s therapeutic claims, the pharmacological active substance used, level of efficacy, ingredients and their concentration in the product will also be examined. Dr. Jayasinghe said the guidelines and regulations will ensure the quality, safety and efficacy of products in the market. The NMRA will also accept certification from accredited laboratories overseas, a list of which can be obtained from the NMRA office.
The need for regulation is urgent as thousands of products from several countries are flooding the market, Borderline Product Evaluation Committee member Prof. Renuka Silva said. Prof. Silva, who is also attached to the Department of Applied Nutrition at Wayamba University, said even common multi-vitamins that are sold over the counter with claims of being good for hair, nails and skin belong to the borderline category.