Record seizures for dodgy COVID-19 ‘cures’ hydroxychloroquine and ephedra at Australian borders
Australians are dicing with death by illegally importing a Chinese herb and a malaria medicine touted as a “game changer” by Donald Trump – which can put you into a coma – hoping they will cure COVID-19.
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The importation of an illegal Chinese medicine, which some believe eases COVID-19 symptoms, has skyrocketed at Australian borders with detection rates up more than 3000 per cent.
Ephedra is a plant species used in traditional Chinese medicine, but is also a precursor to making ephedrine, which can then be used to cook up the dangerously addictive drug methamphetamine.
The Australian Border Force (ABF) said just 2kg of the prohibited substance was detected in first three months of 2020, before 66kg of ephedra was uncovered in April and May as the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the country.
ABF Assistant Commissioner for Port Operations Command, Erin Dale, said people trying to import the potentially fatal herb were risking their lives without medical guidance.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) warns ephedra can cause high blood pressure, heart attacks, muscle disorders, seizures, strokes and even death.
Because of its danger, ephedra importers face a maximum sentence of 25 years’ imprisonment or a $1.1m fine if caught trying to smuggle it past authorities.
Seizures of hydroxychloroquine – used to treat malaria and auto-immune conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis – have also jumped.
About 26,000 tablets of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine were stopped from entering Australia’s black market between January and June, with more than 16,000 tablets seized between May and June.
In June, the World Health Organisation halted its trial of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for COVID-19 because it did “not result in the reduction of mortality” for hospitalised patients.
The drug was heavily hyped by US President Donald Trump, who said he had a “hunch” it could be a “game changer”.
The TGA says hydroxychloroquine consumption can lead to sudden heart attacks, irreversible eye damage and severe depletion of blood sugar, which can induce coma.
“There are serious health risks associated with taking medication that has not been prescribed for you by a medical health professional,” Ms Dale said.
“It is illegal to bring these substances into Australia without the proper permits and I strongly urge Australians against importing these items.”