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HSA Warns Against Taking an Affected Batch of "Zhongya Brand Tzepao Sanpien Pill"(中亚牌至宝三鞭丸) Found to Contain Excessive Levels of Lead
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6 May 2010
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The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has detected excessive levels of lead in a batch of Chinese Proprietary Medicine (CPM) labelled “Zhongya Brand Tzepao Sanpien Pill” (中亚牌至宝三鞭丸) during HSA's regular product quality sampling checks for marketed health products. Lead, when consumed in large amounts or over a prolonged period of time, may result in lead toxicity and the symptoms may include abdominal pain, vomiting, muscle weakness and cramps.
2 “Zhongya Brand Tzepao Sanpien Pill” is manufactured by Yantai Zhongya Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, China and distributed locally by Sea Gull Trading (Pte) Ltd. One batch of this product (B/N 551001) was tested by HSA's Pharmaceutical Laboratory to contain about 40ppm (parts per million) of lead, which exceeds the legal permissible limit of 20ppm allowed for CPM in Singapore. This batch of CPM has been sold by medical halls between December 2009 to April 2010. The sale of this affected batch has since been stopped and medical halls have already been informed to remove the affected stocks from the shelves.
3 To date, no adverse events associated with this product have been reported to HSA. However, as the affected batch has been marketed locally, HSA is warning members of the public who may have bought this batch to stop consuming it as it may potentially cause serious health hazards when taken on a long term basis.
About the Product
4 “Zhongya Brand Tzepao Sanpien Pill” is regulated as a CPM and is marketed to strengthen vital energy and brain functions. The product label of “Zhongya Brand Tzepao Sanpien Pill” claims that it can be used for a variety of conditions such as back pain, anaemia, pale complexion and poor vitality. (See Annex A in pdf versionfor the photograph and product labeling of this particular product).
Lead
5 Lead is a toxic heavy metal that accumulates in the body and is very slowly removed from the body. It can be dangerous when consumed in large amounts or over a prolonged period of time. People with high blood levels of lead may or may not show any symptoms, but long term consumption of lead can cause anaemia, joint and muscle pain, brain and kidney damage.
Public Advisory
6 HSA strongly advises consumers who have purchased the affected batch of “Zhongya Brand Tzepao Sanpien Pill” not to consume them. HSA also advises members of the public not to consume the pills if they are in doubt of the product batch they have in their possession.
7 Consumers who have consumed the affected batch should consult a doctor if they experience symptoms of lead toxicity (eg, abdominal pain, vomiting, muscle weakness, cramps) or feel unwell. Consumers should also seek medical advice if they have concerns over their health after taking this product.
HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE
6 MAY 2010