HSA Alerts Public to Two Illegal Pain Relief Products Purchased from Overseas Found to Contain Potent Western Medicinal Ingredients

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is alerting members of the public to two illegal health products that were detected to contain potent western medicinal ingredients despite claims of all natural ingredients on their product labels. These two products are:

Please refer to Annex A of the attached pdf for pictures of the products.

2     One patient in his 60s, who had consumed ‘JIN LONG Snakes' Bones Rheumatic Capsules' which claimed to treat rheumatism and pain, was found to suffer from Cushing's syndrome and gastric complications. Another patient in her 50s experienced rapid relief of her pain symptoms after taking ‘Golden Dragon Linzi Dong Mai Dan'. 

Undeclared western medicinal ingredients found in the products

3     HSA's laboratory findings revealed the presence of several undeclared medicinal ingredients in these products including the potent steroids, betamethasone and dexamethasone, and a potent painkiller, piroxicam.

4     The steroids are usually prescribed for serious swelling and inflammatory conditions and should only be used under strict medical supervision. Long term unsupervised use of oral steroids can cause increased blood glucose levels leading to diabetes, high blood pressure, cataracts, muscular and bone disorders, an increased risk of infections and Cushing's syndrome, which is characterised by a round face or ‘moon face', and upper body obesity with thin limbs. 

5     Piroxicam, also known as a Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID), should also be used under strict medical supervision as it may potentially cause serious gastric bleeding.  Please refer to Annex B of the attached pdf for more information on the potential side effects of the undeclared medicinal ingredients found in the products.

HSA advisory  

6     Members of the public who are consuming these products are advised to: 

       (i) Consult a doctor as soon as possible before stopping the products. Sudden discontinuation of steroids without proper medical supervision can cause serious withdrawal symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, confusion and low blood pressure, especially when these products are taken for more than a few weeks. Undeclared western medicinal ingredients may cause possible adverse effects as well as drug interactions with consumers' own medications which can seriously harm health. 

       (ii) Be wary of complementary health products promising ‘miraculous cures' and/or providing rapid relief of their medical conditions as they can also cause serious adverse effects which may be permanent and irreversible.

       (iii) Avoid purchasing health products sold on the Internet. Such products are usually produced under poor manufacturing conditions with no quality control by unscrupulous persons who have little regard for human health, and may contain undeclared western medicinal ingredients or toxic ingredients, which can cause serious harm to a person.

       (iv) Seek proper medical treatment for chronic medical conditions (such as arthritis and rheumatism) and not self-medicate. 

7     HSA will take strong enforcement actions against those who engage in the sale and supply of health products containing undeclared potent medicinal ingredients. Anyone found to contravene the Poisons Act faces a penalty of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment for a period of up to two years under the Poisons Act.   

8     Members of the public who have any information on the sale of these 2 illegal products or other 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. Additionally, members of public are encouraged to visit www.healthdangers.sg to learn more about the dangers of buying illegal health products from dubious sources.

HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
7 May 2014

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