Unauthorized health products, including an emergency oral contraceptive, treatments for erectile dysfunction, as well as antibiotics and antiparasitic drugs, have been seized by Health Canada at the Rabais 4Saisons shop located in Montreal North. The federal health ministry states that these products may pose serious health risks. Rabais 4Saisons is located at 5321 Rue de Charleroi in Montreal. Health Canada advises the public that anyone who has used the affected products and has concerns about their health should consult a licensed health-care professional, such as a doctor or pharmacist. Health Canada also urges people to check that their health products are properly authorized by ensuring they bear an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN). There is also a Natural Product Number (NPN) or a Homeopathic Drug Number (DIN-HM) to ensure these products are authorized. The drugs seized from Rabais 4Saisons are: After-D, Albendazol, Balaxi – Amoxicillin, Balaxi – Tetraciclina, Black Horse Vital Honey, Caplin Point, Erix and Saad – Ampicilina. “Unauthorized health products have not been approved by Health Canada, which means they have not been assessed for safety, effectiveness and quality and may pose serious health risks,” the ministry stated in a press release. It noted that several of the seized health products are not labelled in English and French, as required by Canadian regulations. As a result, important information is missing, particularly regarding usage, dosage and adverse effects. Among the medicines seized is Albendazol, an antiparasitic drug that is not authorized for human use in Canada but is available on prescription in other countries. There was also After-D, an emergency contraceptive, whose label indicates the presence of levonorgestrel, an over-the-counter medicine used to prevent pregnancy within 72 hours of unprotected sex. “Unauthorized emergency contraceptives labelled to contain levonorgestrel may not be effective and may not prevent pregnancy as expected,” says Health Canada. It should be noted that there are approved levonorgestrel-based emergency contraceptive products available in Canada. Antibiotics were also seized, as their labels indicated the presence of ampicillin and amoxicillin, which are used to treat certain bacterial infections. These drugs must only be used under the supervision of a health-care professional. Ampicillin and amoxicillin can cause serious, potentially life-threatening allergic reactions. — The Canadian Press’s health coverage is supported by a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. The Canadian Press is solely responsible for this journalistic content. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Aug. 18, 2026.
