A renowned herbalist, who allegedly manufactures herbal preparations ostensibly to treat HIV/AIDS and other chronic diseases, has confessed to rather feeding the public with doses of Tampico drink laced with allopathic medicines. Allopathic medicines are anti-bacterial agents for the treatment of various infections, including tuberculosis. According to the herbalist (name withheld), who has two production facilities at Kubease, near Ejisu in the Ashanti Region, and Lashibi in the Greater Accra Region, his herbal preparations only contains Tampico drink and three allopathic medicines - streptomycin, gentamicin and sulphathiozole. This was contained in a press release of October 14, this year, issued by the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) and signed by its Chief Executive, Dr. Stephen K. Opuni. The release said that some fake herbal practitioners have packaged turpentine as herbal medicine for the treatment of Otitis Media (an infection in the ear) and other types of bodily diseases and pains. The FDB, however, cautioned the public against patronising unregistered herbal preparations currently in circulation at markets and bus stations across the country, since they are prejudicial to human health. "Recent market surveillance activities of the FDB has revealed that some charlatan herbal practitioners are offering for sale medicines with fake FBD registration numbers, although the medicines have not been tested or given any approval by the FDB," it stated. The release mentioned some of the products as Adnaab Fast Herbal Mixture and Adnaab Fast Herbal Bitters, alleged to treat sexual weakness, diabetes and waist pains, as well as Me De Gye Wo Kunu, Sign a Cheque and Virgin Power, which are all applied in the female genital organ. It said whereas laboratory analysis by the FDB found Me De Gye Wo Kunu, Sign a Cheque and Virgin Power as 'containing high levels oflead and alUIpinum, the Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is currently investigating a case in which an unsuspecting consumer who took Adnaab Fast Herbal Mixture and Adnaab Fast Herbal Bitters developed some skin rashes and diarrhoea. Source: Ghanaian Times