Health Canada Warns Canadians Not to Use 'Sesa Hair Supplement'
 July 25, 2004

Health Canada is warning consumers not to use “Sesa Hair Supplement” capsules, a product designed to treat hair loss. This product is contaminated with unacceptable levels of lead and could cause serious adverse effects, including death. Health Canada strongly advises anyone who has used Sesa Hair Supplement capsules to consult their physician.

Sesa Hair Supplement is manufactured by Rani-Pharma Inc. but may also be sold by herbalists and acupuncturists without the name Rani-Pharma Inc on the label. The Sesa Hair Supplement contains the following ingredients: Mukta Sukti 100 mg, Sudha Shilajeet 100 mg, Rohitak 60 mg, Sudh Bodar 50 mg and Rasayana 90 mg. The label directs that the product be taken with milk.

Health Canada assessed Sesa Hair Supplement capsules after receiving a report that one patient taking the product required hospitalization due to lead poisoning. The assessment found the capsules contain more than 7,000 times the allowable limit of lead in a health product. The product was also found to contain mercury and arsenic.

Common symptoms of lead poisoning include: anemia, abdominal pain, convulsions, coma or severe lack of coordination, and paralysis. Exposure to high levels of lead can lead to damage to the intestines, blood system, cardiovascular system, immune system, reproductive system, and kidneys. Children are more sensitive to lead exposure than adults.

Health Canada has issued a stop sale order to clinics that stock this product and has also issued a Customs Alert to prevent shipments of this product from entering the country. Health Canada has also requested that Rani-Pharma Inc. recall all existing product. This product has not been authorized for use by Health Canada, and does not have a Drug Identification Number (DIN) or Natural Product Number (NPN) or Drug Identification Number - Homeopathic Medication (DIN-HM). Health Canada advises Canadians only to use health products which carry a DIN, NPN or DIN-HM on the label.

Consumers and health care professionals are urged to report adverse reactions to Health Canada by toll-free telephone at (866) 234-2345 or by toll-free fax at (866) 678-6789.