被 發 現 含 有 未 標 示 西 藥 的 產 品
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| Singapore: HSA Alert: Five products detected to contain potent medicinal ingredients including steroids; two consumers experienced serious adverse effects (English only) |
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The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is alerting members of the public not to purchase or use five products, including a cream marketed for use in babies. HSA’s analysis of these products revealed that they contained potent medicinal ingredients, including steroids that led to serious adverse events in two consumers. The five products are:
- AlphaMiracHERBS capsules (contains chloramphenicol, chlorpheniramine, dexamethasone, ibuprofen, lovastatin, tetracycline)
- Shu Jin capsules (contains atorvastatin, chlorpheniramine, dexamethasone)
- Jolicare™ Baby Cream (contains chloramphenicol, clobetasol propionate, dexamethasone, ketoconazole)
- Jolicare™ Collagen Cream (contains chloramphenicol, clobetasol propionate, dexamethasone, ketoconazole)
- Jolicare™ Original Cream (contains chloramphenicol, clobetasol propionate, dexamethasone, ketoconazole)
AlphaMiracHERBS and Shu Jin capsules were obtained from Malaysia, while Jolicare™ creams were sold on local e-commerce platforms and social media platforms. HSA has worked with the platform administrators to remove the affected listings and investigations are ongoing.
A man in his 60s developed Cushing’s syndrome (a serious steroid-induced condition characterised by a round face or moon face appearance) after taking AlphaMiracHERBS capsules for three to four months for psoriasis (an inflammatory skin condition which causes rash with itchy, scaly patches). He gained about 10 kilograms and developed a round face. He had obtained the product from Malaysia through his friend. A woman in her 60s who took Shu Jin capsules regularly over 10 years for joint pain had to be hospitalised shortly after she stopped taking it. She experienced fever, giddiness, joint pain and loss of appetite. She was diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency (a serious steroid withdrawal condition, where the body does not produce adequate amounts of steroid hormones after stopping long-term steroid use) and osteoporosis. She told HSA that her relative had obtained the product from a clinic in Malaysia and recommended it to her.
These cases were reported to HSA by their treating physicians. AlphaMiracHERBS was labelled as a “herbal supplement for inflammation” containing “100% vegetarian herbs”. However, contrary to its claims of being purely herbal, HSA tested it to contain dexamethasone (a steroid), chloramphenicol and tetracycline (antibiotics), chlorpheniramine (an antihistamine), ibuprofen (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) and lovastatin (a cholesterol-lowering medicine). Shu Jin capsules were also tested by HSA to contain multiple potent ingredients including dexamethasone, chlorpheniramine and atorvastatin (another cholesterol-lowering medicine). Long-term unsupervised use of steroids such as dexamethasone can cause increased blood glucose levels which may lead to diabetes, Cushing’s syndrome, and other serious adverse effects.
HSA was alerted to the online sale of Jolicare™ creams based on multiple feedback, including from a pharmacist who was suspicious of Jolicare™ cream when a three-year-old child’s chronic eczema unexpectedly improved after using it for only three days, and from a doctor who came across it on social media chatgroups among mothers. Jolicare™ products were falsely promoted as “natural, herbal” and “proven effective” for a variety of skin conditions, such as eczema, fungal infection and psoriasis. Their online sales postings carried a disclaimer that the products contained “a minimal amount of dexamethasone and clobetasol” and falsely claimed that “the dose is approved by skin specialists and is safe for all, including babies and pregnant mums”. Creams containing such potent steroids for treatment of skin conditions should be evaluated and approved by HSA, and they should only be prescribed by doctors for use under medical supervision. These products were not approved by HSA. Apart from clobetasol propionate and dexamethasone, HSA detected chloramphenicol and ketoconazole (an antifungal) in all three Jolicare™ creams. These ingredients can pose serious health risks, especially in infants, children and pregnant women, if used without medical supervision.
Please refer to the following website in HSA for details:
http://www.hsa.gov.sg/announcements/press-release/hsa-alert-five-products-detected-to-contain-potent-medicinal-ingredients
In Hong Kong, the above products are not registered pharmaceutical products.
Ends/Tuesday, Nov 15, 2022
Issued at HKT 14:00
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