The Australian Border Force (ABF) has issued a warning to Australians not to import prohibited substances they believe might protect them against COVID-19, in particular the high-profile anti-malaria drug Hydroxychloroquine.
The Force’s Assistant Commissioner, Port Operations Command, Erin Dale said ABF officers had seen a significant spike in detections of the herbal medicine Ephedra as well as Hydroxychloroquine which is used to treat malaria and auto-immune conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
“Prior to the pandemic, minimal quantities of Ephedra were seen at the border with the ABF detecting two kilograms of the drug in the first three months of 2020,” Assistant Commissioner Dale said.
“As the pandemic continues to evolve, the ABF has seen a significant spike with officers detecting over 66 kilograms of the drug in April and May alone.”
She said Ephedra was a prohibited import as it was a precursor to making Ephedrine, which could be used to manufacture the drug methamphetamine or ‘ice’.
“The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) says Ephedra poses a health risk. The use of Ephedra has been linked to serious adverse effects including high blood pressure, heart attacks, muscle disorders, seizures, strokes and death,” Assistant Commissioner Dale said.
“The TGA has warned that Hydroxychloroquine poses serious risks to patients, including cardiac toxicity (potentially leading to sudden heart attacks), irreversible eye damage and severe depletion of blood sugar (potentially leading to coma).”
She said the TGA strongly discouraged the use of Hydroxychloroquine outside of its registered indications which are for the treatment of auto-immune conditions and malaria.
“Every day, ABF officers are on the lookout for these medications and when they are found, they will be seized at the border,” Assistant Commissioner Dale said.
