Health Alert! HEPTA 3 is Fake-FDA

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has warned the public to refrain from patronizing a fake Hepatitis B herbal medicine currently circulating in the country, particularly in the Ashanti regional capital, Kumasi.

According to the FDA, the said herbal medicine by name HEPTA 3 has not been registered with them as claimed by the manufacturers, Dr. Akosua Adu-Ayaa and Akomea Sakyi who operates a herbal clinic/manufacturing facility at Chirapatre called Power Specialist Clinic / Power Health Products Limited.

In a statement signed by its Chief Executive, Dr. Stephen K. Opuni, the Food and Drugs Authority said HEPTA 3, which the manufacturers claimed treats Hepatitis B, Typhoid fever and other immune-compromised conditions was false.

“The Food and Drugs Authority wishes to advice the general public not to patronize HEPTA 3 because it cannot treat Hepatitis B infection. Moreover, Hepatitis B infection is a viral disease whilst Typhoid fever is caused by salmonella bacteria. One product cannot therefore treat the two disease conditions,” the statement noted.

Hepatitis B infection, the FDA added can “lead to life-threatening complications like impairment of the liver (reduced ability of the liver to function), liver failure and an increased risk of developing liver cancer and can also cause kidney problems that may lead eventually to kidney failure”.

The FDA statement added that in view of the seriousness of the complications of the disease, it was unacceptable for anyone to mislead the public that he/she has a cure for Hepatitis B when actually that is not true.

It said, Dr. Akosua Adu-Ayaa and Akomea Sakyi, manufacturers and distributors of HEPTA 3 have been arrested by the Kumasi police, adding “the public is entreated to report anyone found selling HEPA 3 to the nearest FDA office or the Police.”

The FDA entreated the “general public on persons in any practice possible of endangering public health and safety with respect to FDA’s mandate is most welcomed through any of the following contact numbers; 0244337235, 0544338829, 0246809509 or 0544863418.”