Press Releases
HSA Warns Against Taking Three Health Products Found to Contain Potent Western Medicinal Ingredients
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24 August 2011
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The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) alerts members of the public against taking three health products sold under the disguise of traditional herbal medicines, which have been tested to contain potent western medicinal ingredients. These illegal adulterated health products are labelled as:
I. TIAN MA TU CHUNG SEVEN LEAVE GINSENG
[天麻杜仲七叶参]
II. VALL-BOON TONGKAT ALI
[冬革阿里]
III. PAO NI KANG
[保胰康]
2 The three adulterated health products were purchased by consumers from overseas or obtained through friends and relatives. The serious adverse effects experienced by the consumers were detected by astute doctors, who promptly reported the cases to HSA's Vigilance Branch for investigation. These products were tested at HSA's Pharmaceutical Laboratory, which revealed the presence of potent western medicinal ingredients. HSA has alerted the drug regulatory authorities of the countries in which these products were purchased.
3 Members of the public, who have the above-mentioned products in their possession, should stop taking them as these products can cause life-threatening adverse effects.
About the Products and Adverse Reactions
i) TIAN MA TU CHUNG SEVEN LEAVE GINSENG [天麻杜仲七叶参]
4 Tian Ma Tu Chung Seven Leave Ginseng [天麻杜仲七叶参] was tested to contain two adulterants – dexamethasone and chlorpheniramine. It is packaged in a bottle of 48 black round pills. The product label claims to treat pain and numbness. Refer to the Annex for a photograph of the product and details of the adulterants.
5 Two elderly patients in their 60s were reported to have taken the product to relieve physical pain and discomfort. One of them suffered from Cushing's syndrome due to the prolonged intake of dexamethasone (a corticosteroid found in the product) after taking it for about one month. The symptoms include puffy face, hump back and high blood pressure. In addition, she experienced hallucination and memory loss. The patient has sought medical treatment and is recovering from the adverse effects. According to the patient's family, her other relatives were also consuming this product but have since stopped.
ii) VALL-BOON TONGKAT ALI [冬革阿里]
6 Vall-Boon Tongkat Ali [冬革阿里] is presented in a bottle of 35 brown capsules and claims to relieve fatigue and tiredness. It was tested to contain four adulterants of western medicines - dexamethasone, chlorpheniramine, ketoconazole and pheniramine. Refer to the Annex for a photograph of the product and details of the adulterants.
7 A male patient in his 20s was reported to have taken Vall-Boon Tongkat Ali as an energy booster. His doctor noted signs and symptoms of Cushing's syndrome, such as thinning of the skin and appearance of red stretch marks (striae) all over his body. The patient also experienced dependency on the product when he tried to stop consuming it and developed persistent headaches and insomnia. He is currently under medical treatment for the adverse effects.
iii) PAO NI KANG [保胰康]
8 Pao Ni Kang [保胰康] is packaged in a bottle containing 80 yellow capsules. The product claims to invigorate vital energy and was tested to contain repaglinide. Repaglinide is a potent anti-diabetic western medicine, which should be taken under medical supervision. Refer to the Annex for a photograph of the product and details of the adulterants.
9 A male patient in his 30s developed symptoms of low blood glucose after he self-medicated with Pao Ni Kang for his diabetes. He was hospitalised when he suffered from confusion, giddiness and slurred speech. Life-threatening conditions such as brain damage and coma could result from dangerously low blood glucose levels. The patient has since recovered from the serious adverse effects.
Public Advisory
10 Members of the public who have purchased these products are advised not to consume them and those who have taken them should stop consuming these products and seek medical attention, especially if they experience any of the adverse effects.
11 Ms Chan Cheng Leng, Assistant Group Director of the Health Products Regulation Group in HSA says, “The harmful effects of adulterated health products are evident from the many reports of adverse reactions that HSA received. Although these products provide temporary relief from medical conditions such as aches and pains, they can also cause serious and life-threatening adverse effects which may be permanent and irreversible. The health risks of taking these products are not worth it”.
12 Consumers are reminded to be wary of traditional or herbal medicines that provide quick and miraculous relief for chronic medical conditions, especially if these products are bought from unreliable or unknown sources, including that from the Internet.
13 Medical practitioners are encouraged to report any serious adverse events experienced by their patients to HSA's Vigilance Branch for investigation, if they suspect that the patients have been consuming any adulterated health products.
14 HSA strongly encourages the public to report sales of any suspicious and illegal health products to the Enforcement Branch of HSA at Tel: 6866 3485 or Email: hsa_is@hsa.gov.sg.
HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE
24 AUGUST 2011