Health Canada is recalling a number of products sold by a Richmond company that could pose serious, and potentially fatal, health risks.
Among the haul of unauthorized drugs seized from Before & After Beauty Lab, at 115-4231 Hazelbridge Way, was a high-concentration lidocaine cream, labelled as human placenta.
Also included were injectable products and a drug labelled as being derived from stem cells. The products are packaged and labelled in languages such as Japanese or Korean.
As a result, information about ingredients, usage, dosage and side effects may not be understood by all users.
All drug products sold in Canada must be authorized for sale by Health Canada.
As such, taking drugs that have not been authorized by Health Canada may pose serious health risks as they have not been assessed for safety, effectiveness or quality.
Health products containing human placenta run the risk causing bacterial and viral disease transmission. No health products containing human placenta have been authorized for sale by Health Canada.
Affected products include:
Be balance ALA (aminolevulinic acid) Concentrate;
Dr Maylab "Losheen Stem Cells Therapy" Amniotic Fluid-derived stem cells;
J-Cain lidocaine cream (15.6%);
Mastelli Placentex (polydeoxyribonucleotide 5.625 mg/3ml injectable solution);
Melsmon Placenta (Human);
MSD Gentacin Ointment 0.1% (gentamicin)
Health Canada is now working with the Canada Border Services Agency to help prevent further importation of these products.
Should additional retailers or distributors be identified, Health Canada will take appropriate action and inform the public as necessary.
What consumers should do:
Do not use these products from Before & After Beauty Lab or from other locations. Consult with your health care professional if you have used or have been administered any of these products and have health concerns.
Read product labels to verify that health products have been authorized for sale by Health Canada. Authorized health products have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), Natural Product Number (NPN) or Homeopathic Drug Number (DIN-HM).
You can also check whether products have been authorized for sale by searching Health Canada's Drug Product Database and Licensed Natural Health Product Database.
Report adverse events to health products to Health Canada by calling toll-free at 1‑866‑234‑2345, or by reporting online, by mail or by fax.
Report complaints about health products to Health Canada by calling toll-free at 1‑800‑267‑9675, or complete an online complaint form.
Health products containing human placenta: Potential risks associated with the use of unauthorized human placenta products include bacterial and viral disease transmission. No health products containing human placenta have been authorized for sale by Health Canada.
