SINGAPORE – The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has cautioned the public against consuming four products that were found to contain banned or unlisted potent medicinal ingredients.
The warning comes after three people developed serious adverse effects like high blood pressure, severe tremors and insomnia after taking them, it said in a statement on March 18.
The products are Ubat Angin Tulang, Tianma Duzhong Shujing Wan, IM SO am and IM TOX pm.
The first two products are supposedly to help with pain management, among other things, while IM SO am and IM TOX pm, which are marketed to be taken together, are for slimming purposes.
Those who have consumed Ubat Angin Tulang and Tianma Duzhong Shujing Wan should see a doctor immediately, while those who have taken IM SO am and IM TOX pm should stop taking them immediately and consult a doctor if they are unwell or concerned about their health, said the HSA.
All sellers and suppliers must stop selling these four products immediately, it added.
Following tests by the HSA, the products were found to contain ingredients that may be harmful if taken without medical supervision. These include potent ingredients like steroids and sibutramine, a banned substance.
Since the findings, the HSA has worked with online platforms Shopee, Lazada and Carousell to remove their listings. Investigations of the sellers are ongoing.
The HSA related how a woman in her 60s, who had knee pain, rapidly gained 10kg and developed elevated blood pressure after taking Ubat Angin Tulang for up to three months.
She had obtained it from a relative who bought it from a makeshift stall in Jurong.
Ubat Angin Tulang, which supposedly strengthens muscles and helps with pain management, had only herbal ingredients, such as ginseng and cordyceps, listed on its label. However, HSA tests found that it contained three potent medicinal ingredients: dexamethasone, a steroid; furosemide, a diuretic; and chlorpheniramine, an antihistamine.
“These are strong medicinal substances that can cause serious adverse effects when used without supervision by a doctor. The steroid in the product could have caused the woman’s rapid weight gain and high blood pressure,” said the HSA.
Further investigations showed that the seller from Malaysia would set up his makeshift stalls in various locations across Singapore.
Tianma Duzhong Shujing Wan was found to contain five potent medicinal ingredients that were not listed on its label.
(PHOTO: COURTESY OF HSA)
In another case, a man in his 80s suffered dizziness and a drop in blood pressure after taking Tianma Duzhong Shujing Wan for knee pain for about a year. He received the product from a relative who bought it in Malaysia.
He was diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency, which the SingHealth website said results from a lack of hormones that are needed to maintain normal blood pressure, fluid and electrolyte balance, and blood sugar level.
His doctor suspected the product was adulterated and reported the case to the HSA, which said there are no known local suppliers of the product.
Tianma Duzhong Shujing Wan’s label listed only herbs such as ginseng, but the HSA found five potent medicinal ingredients: steroids dexamethasone and prednisolone, anti-inflammatory painkiller diclofenac, as well as furosemide and chlorpheniramine.
In the case of IM SO am and IM TOX pm, the product labels said they contained food and botanical extracts “to promote better body balance”.
IM SO am and IM TOX pm are marketed to be taken together for slimming purposes.
(PHOTO: COURTESY OF HSA)
However, a woman who had taken them experienced severe tremors, insomnia and light-headedness and almost fainted twice. It was not stated how many times she had taken the products or for how long.
The HSA found that IM SO am contained the banned substance sibutramine, while IM TOX pm contained sennosides, an undeclared laxative.
The HSA advised consumers to be alert by not buying dubious health products, and to look for reputable sellers, examine claims, report suspicious products and trust medical advice from healthcare professionals.
It said it will not hesitate to take stern enforcement actions against anyone who sells and supplies products found to be adulterated with banned or potent ingredients. Those who do so can be prosecuted and, if convicted, may be imprisoned for up to two years and/or fined up to $10,000.
Those who have information on the sale and supply of these illegal products can call the HSA enforcement branch on 6866-3485 or e-mail hsa_is@hsa.gov.sg
Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction