Singapore’s HSA raises alert on three illegal health products

Four Singapore residents have been hospitalized for serious conditions after consuming illegal health products that contained undeclared ingredients. In a statement by Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA), they identified the products as Snake Powder Capsules, JC Gold, and Tu Cho Pan Chi Pian.

The products, which are all sold in capsule form, are touted as containing herbs and other natural ingredients. They also claim to treat health conditions such as joint pain.

But the HSA was able to identify that among the ingredients contained in these products was a potent steroid, called dexamethasone, which is usually prescribed for inflammation. Its use requires strict medical supervision.

Other undeclared ingredients, which can normally only be supplied with a doctor’s prescription, included certain diuretics, antihistamines and antibiotics, which can have adverse effects and interact negatively with other medication.

Doctors tipped off the authorities after the victims were hospitalized on July and August this year.

Two elderly Singapore residents were hospitalized for the metabolic disorder Cushing’s syndrome that causes upper-body obesity, high blood sugar, and the characteristic round “moon” face. They are still currently receiving medical treatment.

The woman, in her 60s, had been taking JC Gold for about four months, while the other, a man in his 70s, had been taking Tu Cho Pan Chi Pian for several years.

Snake Powder Capsules, which were the object of a 2005 HSA warning, sent a woman in her 30s to hospital with drug-induced hepatitis. Her father, who is in his 50s, also had to be hospitalized after developing liver injury. They had been taking the product for three weeks. Both have since recovered.

A woman in her 30s and her father who is in his 50s had been taking Snake Powder Capsules for three weeks before they were both hospitalized. The woman developed drug-induced hepatitis while her father developed liver injury.

The HSA has already issued a warning against the consumption of Snake Powder Capsules in 2005.

The authority has warned consumers against purchasing products that “produce unexpected quick recovery of medical conditions” especially when they come from unfamiliar sources.

Those who have purchased or are consuming these products are advised to consult a doctor as soon as possible.

“Do not stop the use of any of the three products immediately as sudden discontinuation of steroids without proper medical supervision can cause serious withdrawal symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, confusion and low blood pressure, especially if they have been consumed for more than a few weeks,” said HSA.

Although the products were bought in Malaysia, the authority said it does not rule out the possibility of the three products being sold or supplied in Singapore, and urged sellers who were doing so to stop immediately.

The sale of illegal health products is punishable under the Health Products Act, Poisons Act, and Medicines Act.

Anyone convicted of such may be fined up to S$100,000 and/or jailed for up to three years under the Health Products Act; fined up to S$10,000 and/or jailed up to two years under the Poisons Act; and fined up to S$5,000 and/or jailed up to two years under the Medicines Act.

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Category: Features, Health alert