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Nov 09, 2023

Amoxicillin capsules seized from Asian grocery

Health Canada announced Saturday it had seized an unspecified quantity of

Health Canada announced Saturday it had seized an unspecified quantity of unauthorized amoxicillin capsules from the Green Fresh Supermarket, an Asian grocery on McArthur Avenue in Vanier.

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The agency said amoxicillin — a prescription antibiotic drug used to treat bacterial infections — may pose serious health risks.

"Unauthorized health products have not been approved by Health Canada, which means that they have not been assessed for safety, efficacy and quality and may pose a range of serious health risks," an advisory said.

Health Canada listed possible side-effects as "swollen lips, face and throat, difficulty breathing, severe skin rashes and itchiness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and signs of kidney and liver failure."

Willa Yang, manager of the grocery, said the store began to stock the product after being approached by older clients who had used amoxicillin in China, but couldn't obtain it in Canada.

"It's (regarded as a) sort of health remedy" in China, Yang said.

She said the store never sold much of the product and she was surprised when Health Canada officials came to the store this week.

"We will not be selling any more," she said.

Health Canada said anyone who had the unauthorized capsules should not use the product, but should take it to a pharmacy for proper disposal.

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