Press Releases
HSA Alert: Two Health Products from Dubious Sources Led to Burns in a Consumer and Hospitalisation in Another
Audiences
Consumer
Healthcare professional
Industry member
Product type
Others
22 January 2018
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The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is alerting members of the public not to purchase or use the following two health products:
(a) ‘URE (有利) TONIC HERBAL TRADITIONAL (传统青草营养素)’ sold by a traditional practitioner in Malaysia
(b) Unlabelled brown bottles of facial solution from the ‘Anita iBrow’ beauty parlour at 11 Orchard Road #B1-42 Dhoby Exchange Singapore 238826
Both products led to serious adverse reactions – one consumer was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and the other suffered facial chemical burns.
2 HSA has tested the products and found that they contain potent western medicinal ingredients which are prohibited in these products:
‘URE (有利) TONIC HERBAL TRADITIONAL (传统青草营养素)’ contained dexamethasone, a potent steroid.
The solution in the unlabelled brown glass bottles contained hydroquinone and tretinoin. These are western medicinal ingredients used for the treatment of skin conditions, which should only be prescribed by a doctor and used under medical supervision.
Please refer to Annex A and Annex B of the pdf version, for pictures of the products and more information about the western medicinal ingredients found in the products.
Adverse events reported to HSA
4 A female consumer in her 50s had purchased ‘URE (有利) TONIC HERBAL TRADITIONAL (传统青草营养素)’ from a traditional practitioner in Malaysia. After taking it daily for more than a year to ‘strengthen’ her body, she developed Cushing’s syndrome, a condition caused by prolonged consumption of steroids. She suffered complications such as persistent low blood pressure and a weakened immune system, which resulted in pneumonia and sepsis, a life-threatening condition that involves tissue and organ injuries. She was admitted to the ICU for treatment and is currently undergoing outpatient care.
5 Another female consumer in her 20s visited ‘Anita iBrow’ beauty parlour in Orchard Road for a make-up session, which included the use of a facial solution. According to the beautician, the facial solution was ‘RDL HYDROQUINONE TRETINOIN Babyface Solution 3’, which she had purchased from an online platform for use on her customers. She had poured the facial solution into two unlabelled brown glass bottles and sold them to the consumer as ‘magic water’ to brighten up her skin. After two to three days of daily application, the consumer experienced superficial chemical burns and skin peeling. Her skin had darkened and turned red and itchy, requiring treatment by a skin specialist. HSA has directed the beautician to stop using and supplying the solution. The beautician is currently assisting in the investigation.
Advisory to consumers
6 Consumers are advised:
As ‘URE (有利) TONIC HERBAL TRADITIONAL (传统青草营养素)’ contains a potent steroid, consumers who have taken this product are advised to 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.
Stop using any unlabelled facial solutions supplied by the ‘Anita iBrow’ beauty parlour immediately and see a doctor if you are experiencing adverse effects.
Do not purchase products labelled to contain hydroquinone and/or tretinoin without seeing a doctor as they are potent medicinal ingredients that could cause serious side effects if used without medical supervision.
Be cautious when purchasing health products from unfamiliar sources, 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.
Avoid buying or using unlabelled health products and be wary of products that promise quick and miraculous results. Such products may contain harmful ingredients which can cause serious health effects.
Advisory to sellers and suppliers
7 Sellers and suppliers are warned that:
The supply of ‘URE (有利) TONIC HERBAL TRADITIONAL (传统青草营养素)’ and ‘RDL HYDROQUINONE TRETINOIN Babyface Solution 3’ must be stopped immediately. These are illegal products which contained 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.
8 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
22 JANUARY 2018