Press Releases
HSA Warns Consumers not to take an Illegal Product – “Huo Luo Jing Dan" [活絡金丹]
Audiences
Consumer
Healthcare professional
Industry member
Product type
Others
9 December 2009
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The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has detected an illegal health product labelled “Huo Luo Jing Dan" [活絡金丹], which was tested by HSA's Pharmaceutical Laboratory to contain three potent undeclared western medicinal ingredients, namely indomethacin, dexamethasone and prednisolone.
2 The product was brought to the attention of HSA's Vigilance Branch following an adverse reaction report submitted by a doctor who suspected that his patient suffered an adverse effect from the product.
About the Product
3 “Huo Luo Jing Dan" [活絡金丹] has been promoted as a Chinese medicine to improve blood circulation, to relieve pain, rheumatism, arthritis, limbs numbness and body ache.
4 The product is packaged in a dark plastic bottle with gold-coloured label and contains red capsules (See Annex A in pdf version for a photograph of the product and its labelling).
5 Our investigations revealed that the manufacturer of the product as stated on the product insert “China Tian Jin Ren Ji" [中国天津仁济药厂] is fraudulent and does not exist. The patient had bought the product through a friend who could not be contacted.
6 HSA strongly urges members of the public who are aware of the product being sold illegally, to provide information to assist investigation by contacting HSA's Enforcement Branch at Tel: 6866 3485 (24-hour line) or Email: hsa_is@hsa.gov.sg.
About the Adverse Reaction
7 The adverse reaction report involved a 50 year-old female patient who developed swelling of the throat following an infection which did not heal readily and was hospitalised. The patient was also reported to have developed facial features (moon face) caused by the prolonged intake of corticosteroids.
8 The patient was found to have taken the product “Huo Luo Jing Dan" [活絡金丹] for several years which likely is the cause of her reduced immunity and altered facial features. The patient has since recovered and was discharged from the hospital after discontinuing the product.
9 Serious adverse effects can happen to anyone who takes the adulterated product “Huo Luo Jing Dan" [活絡金丹], as it contains undeclared potent western medicines such as indomethacin, dexamethasone and prednisolone.
10 Prolonged use of dexamethasone and prednisolone, which are types of corticosteroid medicine, can cause harmful effects such as weak bones leading to osteoporosis, increased risk of contracting severe infection and increased blood pressure. The adverse effect of indomethacin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), includes stomach bleeding and ulceration and kidney failure.
11 Indomethacin, dexamethasone and prednisolone are potent therapeutic products that need to be prescribed by a doctor. Patients taking these products need to be under close medical supervision.
Consumer Advisory
12 HSA strongly advises consumers who have purchased this product not to consume it. In the event they have consumed this product, they should seek medical advice if they feel unwell or are concerned about their health.
13 Consumers are reminded of the risks of purchasing health products from dubious sources. In addition, consumers are advised to be wary of products that promise quick cures of serious conditions with claims that sound too good to be true.
HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE
9 DECEMBER 2009