Listing 

23 Sep 2002: Public advisory on hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
The HSA has convened an expert panel comprising 6 medical experts in the field of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) management to address the concerns which have arisen from the recent announcements of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Study on the use of combined HRT in the US. The WHI Study reported increased risks of myocardial infarction, stroke, invasive breast cancer, pulmonary emboli and deep vein thrombosis in postmenopausal women (50 to 79 years of age) during 5 years of treatment with oral conjugated estrogens (0.625 mg) combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate (2.5 mg) relative to placebo.

27 Aug 2002: Epoetin alfa (Eprex®) and pure red cell aplasia (PRCA)
HSA, in consultation with the National Committee on Renal Care (NCRC), is advising our healthcare professionals to administer Eprex® (epoetin alfa) via the intravenous (IV) route. In circumstances where the IV route is not feasible, the doctor should discuss the risk and benefit of using subcutaneous Eprex® with the patient.

08 Jun 2002: Updated advisory on Slim 10
Slim 10 is a Chinese Proprietary Medicine which has been withdrawn from the market since 19 April 2002 following reports of suspected adverse drug reactions which surfaced during the period between March 2002 and April 2002. Investigations by HSA so far have confirmed that the product was adulterated with nicotinamide and fenfluramine.

15 Apr 2002: Serious adverse reactions suspected to be associated with Slim 10
The HSA has received several adverse drug reaction reports associated with the consumption of a Chinese Proprietary Medicine called Slim 10. The serious reactions comprised hepatitis and hyperthyroidism. HSA is seeking cooperation from healthcare professionals in looking out for adverse reactions associated with this product and reporting to HSA about this.

23 Jan 2002: HSA issues alert on a jamu product “Serbuk Jarem (Encok)” found adulterated with phenylbutazone
HSA's investigations found that Serbuk Jarem (Encok) was adulterated with phenylbutazone. Phenylbutazone, a potent NSAID, can cause gastric bleeding, serious skin reactions and blood disorders.

15 Jan 2002: Voluntary withdrawal of kava-kava health supplements
The HSA has obtained the agreement of all traders marketing products containing kava-kava to voluntarily withdraw and discontinue the distribution of these products in Singapore. This precautionary measure is taken in the light of the serious liver adverse effects reported recently in Germany and Switzerland.