MANAMA: The Ministry of Health is monitoring herbal medicine shops and clinics after it found that a banned drug contained in a product called “Ginseng Kianpi Pil,” which was being marketed as a weight-loss supplement.
“The product is illegally sold in some shops and was banned by the ministry four years ago. The inspectors found this violation during surprise visits to some shops,” the Health Ministry said in a statement.
The authorities warned the public to refrain from using the product.
The ministry said it would take legal action against merchants who violate the regulations.
Bahrain like other Gulf states is drafting a law to regularize alternative and traditional medicine in the region.
Hala Al-Mehza, a member of the executive authority for the GCC Health Ministers’ Council, said last year that five Gulf countries supported the proposal, while Saudi Arabia suggested reviewing the matter before drafting the law.
Al-Mehza said Bahrain’s bill was considered as a model because of the similarity in Gulf societies.
Tawfeeq Naseeb, who is in charge of registration and licensing at the Health Ministry, said the authorities would set guidelines on alternative medicine practice in the country.
“We have consulted the public and concerned bodies in drafting the law. With the approval of the new law, the department would issue new licenses for qualified doctors in alternative medicine, which would protect innocent people from being victims of fraudsters,” said Naseeb.
