HSA Alert: One Person Admitted to ICU and Another Developed Serious Adverse Reactions After Consuming Health Products Obtained Overseas

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is alerting members of the public not to purchase or consume the following two health products:

(a)  ‘AUSBEE AUSTRALIA® AUSBEE Herbal Powder Capsules’

(b)  ‘SHEN LOON SHE™ EDOLY CAPSULE’ (神農氏™ 益多利 )

One consumer was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for serious unexpected post-surgery complications and another developed Cushing’s syndrome after consuming the products. Both products were taken for pain relief and were obtained from Malaysia.

2    HSA has tested the products and found that they contain the following potent western medicinal ingredients which are prohibited in these products:

Please refer to Annex A and Annex B of the pdf version, for pictures of the products and information on the western medicinal ingredients found in the product.

Adverse events reported to HSA

3    A woman in her 70s had been consuming ‘AUSBEE AUSTRALIA® AUSBEE Herbal Powder Capsules’ for about two years to relieve her back pain and for general well-being. The product was obtained from Malaysia through her friends. She underwent surgery due to a fracture and suffered complications arising from an adrenal crisis¹ which caused a severe drop in her blood pressure. She was admitted to the ICU. Her condition was subsequently traced to the long-term consumption of dexamethasone, a potent steroid present in ‘AUSBEE AUSTRALIA® AUSBEE Herbal Powder Capsules’. In addition to the steroid, the product is adulterated with antibiotics, a painkiller and an anti-allergy drug which can cause serious adverse reactions and drug interactions.

4    A man in his 60s had been taking ‘SHEN LOON SHE™ EDOLY CAPSULE’, which he obtained from Malaysia, to relieve his joint pain for almost a decade. He developed Cushing’s syndrome, a condition caused by long-term consumption of steroids. He had symptoms characteristic of this condition - skin thinning, large purplish bruises on the skin, high blood pressure and elevated blood glucose level. He is currently being treated for the condition. Please refer to Annex C of the pdf version for photos of the consumer’s arm showing symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome.

Advisory to consumers

5    Consumers are advised:

• As ‘AUSBEE AUSTRALIA® AUSBEE Herbal Powder Capsules’ and ‘SHEN LOON SHE™ EDOLY CAPSULE’ (神農氏™ 益多利) contain a potent steroid, consumers who have taken this product should see a doctor as soon as possible. Discontinuation of steroids without proper medical supervision can cause serious withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, confusion and low blood pressure, especially when the product has been taken for more than a few weeks.

• Be wary of health products that promise or produce quick and miraculous results for chronic conditions. Such products may contain hidden prescription medicines which should only be taken under medical supervision, or potent or banned ingredients that may harm you. Adverse effects from consuming these ingredients may happen in an unexpected medical situation e.g. when undergoing a surgery.

• Be cautious when purchasing health products from unfamiliar sources or overseas, even if they are recommended by friends or relatives. No one can be certain what these products contain, and where and how they were made.

• Consult your doctor or pharmacist to manage your acute and chronic medical symptoms and conditions (such as joint pain, arthritis and rheumatism).

Advisory to sellers and suppliers

6    Sellers and suppliers must stop selling ‘AUSBEE AUSTRALIA® AUSBEE Herbal Powder Capsules’ and ‘SHEN LOON SHE™ EDOLY CAPSULE’ (神農氏™ 益多利) immediately.

• These are illegal products which contain undeclared prohibited western medicinal ingredients.

• Anyone who supplies illegal health products is liable to prosecution and if convicted, may be imprisoned for up to 3 years and/or fined up to $100,000.

7    Members of the public who have any information on the sale and supply of these illegal products may contact HSA's Enforcement Branch at Tel: 6866-3485 during office hours (Monday to Friday) or email: hsa_is@hsa.gov.sg.

HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE
14 MAY 2018

Download PDF version here [PDF, 825 KB] ↗ (opens in new tab)

¹ Adrenal crisis is a serious, potentially life-threatening side effect of long term steroid use where the body does not produce adequate amounts of steroid hormones, resulting in severe weakness, muscle and joint pain, low blood pressure, fits or shock.