Press Releases
HSA Alerts Public to Four Adulterated Health Products with Undeclared Western Medicines
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12 October 2011
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The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) warns members of the public not to take four adulterated health products which are sold as traditional Chinese and Malay medicines. These products have been detected to contain undeclared western medicines and they are not approved by HSA. They are labelled as the following:
i.ATHRI-Eze [ 人参活络舒筋丸 ]
ii.SEAR HEANG TIENCHI TU CHUNG WAN [ 麝香田七杜仲丸 ]
iii.CAP WIJAYA KUSUMA (AN KI IT)
iv. WIKU JAHE KENCUR (AKUR MUJARAB)
2 The four products were reported to HSA's Vigilance Branch through the Adverse Event Monitoring System for health products. The alerts were raised by astute doctors and a Chinese physician who raised their suspicions, when the patients suffered adverse reactions or presented with unexpected therapeutic effect after consuming the adulterated products. Upon investigation, these products were tested to contain potent western medicines by HSA's Pharmaceutical Laboratory.
3 The products were obtained by consumers from overseas or friends for self-medication. Members of the public, who have the above-mentioned products in their possession, should stop consuming them as these products can cause serious side effects.
i) ATHRI-Eze [ 人参活络舒筋丸 ]
4 Athri-Eze [人参活络舒筋丸] was tested to contain three undeclared medicinal ingredients- dexamethasone, frusemide and paracetamol. It is promoted as a traditional Chinese medicine and packaged in a bottle of 20 white capsules. It is labelled for the relief of backache, joint and muscular pain. Refer to the Annex A for photo of the product and details of the adulterants.
5 A Chinese physician raised his suspicion of the product when his patient told him that it provided instant relief for her chronic arthritic condition after taking the product for a few days. The patient has since stopped consuming the product upon the physician's advice.
ii) SEAR HEANG TIENCHI TU CHUNG WAN [ 麝香田七杜仲丸 ]
6 Sear Heang Tienchi Tu Chung Wan [麝香田七杜仲丸] is sold in a bottle of 40 black pills with a red label and claims to treat rheumatic pain and backaches. The medicine was obtained through a friend of the patient. HSA's laboratory subsequently tested the product to contain chlorpheniramine and dexamethasone. Refer to Annex A for details.
7 A female patient in her 70's showed symptoms of Cushing's syndrome such as a bloated face, and the adverse effects were detected by her family physician. The patient has taken the product for over a year to treat the arthritic pain on her shoulders. She has stopped taking the product and is receiving treatment.
iii) CAP WIJAYA KUSUMA (AN KI IT)
iv) WIKU JAHE KENCUR (AKUR MUJARAB)
8 The two products promoted as Malay Jamu medicines, are packed in foiled sachets of brown powder and are labelled to treat rheumatoid and arthritic conditions, swollen legs and stiff joints. The two products were bought from overseas - Cap Wijaya Kusuma (An Ki It), which is sold in a green sachet was tested to contain phenylbutazone and paracetamol. The second product, Wiku Jahe Kencur (Akur Mujarab), which is sold in a red sachet, was found to contain allopurinol, prednisolone and chlorpeniramine.
9 A 70 years old patient was hospitalized for symptoms of dizziness and low blood pressure when he stopped taking the products. The adverse effects are likely to be caused by sudden withdrawal of prednisolone, which is corticosteroid that was found as an adulterant in the product - Wiku Jahe Kencur (Akur Majarab), which he took for about a year. The patient is being treated for the adverse effects.
Public Advisory
10 Consumers who have purchased the above products are advised not to consume any further as they contain potent western medicines, which have to be taken under strict medical supervision. If consumers have taken them, they should seek medical attention if they feel unwell or are concerned about their health.
11 Associate Professor Chan Cheng Leng, Assistant Group Director, HSA says, "We strongly advise consumers to be very wary of products that masquerade as traditional medicines and claim to treat conditions such as arthritic and joint pains. Very often, these products contain undeclared potent western medicines that can cause serious adverse effects in consumers.”
12 Traditional medicines are not allowed to contain western medicinal ingredients or substances controlled under the Poisons Act. Anyone found convicted of selling these adulterated products, will face a penalty fine of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years under the Poisons Act.
13 Members of the public who have encountered these illegal products or any other suspicious products, are encouraged to report them to the Enforcement Branch of HSA at Tel: 6866 3485 or Email: hsa_is@hsa.gov.sg.
HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE
12 OCTOBER 2011