Youngsters are falling prey to weight loss and gain products being sold in the name of "herbal medicine" according to doctors.
For someone looking to shed a few pounds or gain a few kilos, the options are plenty. The Internet gives a range of products, many of which are also delivered at one's doorsteps. However, little do these products specify the risks involved.
On Monday, one such suspected death was reported at Nelamangala. A 25-year-old's family claimed that his death was due to the ill effects of a medicine that he consumed. He was prescribed the drug at a fitness centre he visited.
A senior ayurveda doctor from the department of Ayush who spoke on condition of anonymity said that practitioners came across several people aged mostly between 20 and 30 falling prey to advertisements that assure them of quick weight loss.
"These are not necessarily herbal preparations. Many, which are prescribed by fitness centres, could also contain steroids and one has to be cautious. Moreover, there is no government authority which keeps close tabs on the pills or consumables sold in these fitness centres," he added.
Dr Rathod, assistant controller for Ayush Drugs, Ayush Department, said that like allopathy drugs, any herbal product which is said to have medicinal properties needs approval.
"The product would be examined by a team of experts and only then approved. One must look for the licence number and 'good manufacturing practice' mark before buying any products," he added.
In 2016, the department had sent show-cause notices to as many as 30 sellers and a warning notice to one caught selling spurious medicines.
Dr Rathod explained that anyone selling spurious herbal medicines would be penalised under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.
Lab test
Dr Sarasvathi, deputy director, Ayurveda, Department of Ayush said that if a complaint is lodged, the samples that the family is claiming to have spurious materials could be tested. "It is also important to understand if such medication was administered by a medical practitioner or commoner," she added.
For someone looking to shed a few pounds or gain a few kilos, the options are plenty. The Internet gives a range of products, many of which are also delivered at one's doorsteps. However, little do these products specify the risks involved.
On Monday, one such suspected death was reported at Nelamangala. A 25-year-old's family claimed that his death was due to the ill effects of a medicine that he consumed. He was prescribed the drug at a fitness centre he visited.
A senior ayurveda doctor from the department of Ayush who spoke on condition of anonymity said that practitioners came across several people aged mostly between 20 and 30 falling prey to advertisements that assure them of quick weight loss.
"These are not necessarily herbal preparations. Many, which are prescribed by fitness centres, could also contain steroids and one has to be cautious. Moreover, there is no government authority which keeps close tabs on the pills or consumables sold in these fitness centres," he added.
Dr Rathod, assistant controller for Ayush Drugs, Ayush Department, said that like allopathy drugs, any herbal product which is said to have medicinal properties needs approval.
"The product would be examined by a team of experts and only then approved. One must look for the licence number and 'good manufacturing practice' mark before buying any products," he added.
In 2016, the department had sent show-cause notices to as many as 30 sellers and a warning notice to one caught selling spurious medicines.
Dr Rathod explained that anyone selling spurious herbal medicines would be penalised under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.
Lab test
Dr Sarasvathi, deputy director, Ayurveda, Department of Ayush said that if a complaint is lodged, the samples that the family is claiming to have spurious materials could be tested. "It is also important to understand if such medication was administered by a medical practitioner or commoner," she added.