Traditional medicines are typically seen as alternative health products.

How Well Do You Know Your Traditional Medicinal Materials?

Traditional medicinal materials usually refer to restorative materials from plants, animals or minerals in their natural states or in processed forms that have undergone simple processing, such as cutting or drying. Traditional medicinal materials include materials used in traditional Chinese medicine, traditional Indian medicine, traditional Malay medicine (Jamu) and also herbal medicines from other countries.

Traditional medicinal materials fall under two broad categories, mainly those sold in loose or bulk form and pre-packed for sales (stating information such as product name, brand name, ingredients, dosages and/or instructions for use on the packaging materials).

Some medicinal materials may not be suitable for your health and can turn into harmful products.

Presently, there is no licensing requirement for the import and local sale of traditional medicinal materials that are not of finished dosage forms (e.g., capsules, tablets, granules).

However, there are regulations in place to ensure the safety and quality of traditional medicinal materials. Dealers have to ensure the following:

  1. The traditional medicinal materials do not contain any substances controlled under the Poisons Act and other prohibited substances such as Pangamic acid, including its salts, Danthron, Suprofen, including its salts and Rhodamine B.
  2. The heavy metal contents of the traditional medicinal materials do not exceed the following limits: Arsenic (5 ppm), Cadmium (0.3 ppm), Lead (20 ppm) and Mercury (0.5 ppm).
  3. The labels and packaging materials of the traditional medicinal materials (if any) do not stipulate any of the 19 diseases/conditions specified in the Schedule of the Medicines (Advertisement and Sale) Act, namely, blindness, cancer, cataract, drug addiction, deafness, diabetes, epilepsy or fits, hypertension, insanity, kidney diseases, leprosy, menstrual disorders, paralysis, tuberculosis, sexual function, infertility, impotence, frigidity, conception and pregnancy.

Related: Chinese Proprietary Medicine

What Should I Do When Problems Arise?

If the health products you’re taking is affecting your health, seek medical attention immediately.

If you suspect that the traditional medicinal materials you are taking are making you unwell, stop consuming them and consult a medical professional.

You can also get in touch with HSA at:

  • Tel: 1800 2130 800
  • Email: hsa_info@hsa.gov.sg
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