Products found to contain undeclared medicines
|
| |
| Singapore: 3 Consumers, including a 12-year-old, experienced serious adverse effects after taking products with banned or potent medicinal ingredients |
| |
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) warns members of the public against purchasing or consuming three products that have been sold at various locations including online platforms. These products were marketed as supplements or herbal products, which should not contain any medicinal ingredients. However, after receiving adverse event reports from doctors and feedback from the public, HSA tested the products and found that they contained potent medicinal ingredients such as steroids, an antifungal medicine, and the banned substance, sibutramine. These ingredients may be harmful if taken without medical supervision. The affected products are:
- “C-Nine Dietary Supplement Product”: contains sibutramine (banned substance) and sennosides (laxative)
- “血压高中风青草药草 (Xue Ya Gao Zhong Feng Qing Cao Yao Cao)”: contains dexamethasone (potent steroid)
- “B-LIAN-S HERBAL CREAM 百莲霜草本修复乳膏 (Bai Lian Shuang Cao Ben Xiu Fu Ru Gao)”: contains clobetasol (potent steroid) and miconazole (antifungal medicine)
Three consumers developed serious adverse effects after using the products, including heart palpitations, Cushing’s syndrome and skin striae (stretch marks). Those who have used these products are advised to see a doctor. As these are illegal products, there are no authorised distributors, and they were mainly sold locally via online platforms. HSA has worked with the online platforms to remove listings of the products. Investigations are ongoing and errant sellers will be dealt with accordingly.
A woman experienced heart palpitations, nausea, a constant feeling of thirst and a lack of appetite after consuming “C-Nine Dietary Supplement Product”. “C-Nine Dietary Supplement Product” was marketed as a “Dietary Supplement” and was labelled to contain chia powder and chilli pepper powder. However, HSA’s analysis revealed that “C-Nine Dietary Supplement Product” also contained the banned substance, sibutramine, and an undeclared laxative, sennosides. HSA found sale listings of “C-Nine Dietary Supplement Product” on Shopee, Lazada, Carousell, Facebook, and TikTok, and has asked the platform administrators to remove the affected listings.
A woman in her 60s took “血压高中风青草药草 (Xue Ya Gao Zhong Feng Qing Cao Yao Cao)” regularly for 10 days for her knee pain, back pain, and to improve her blood circulation. She had obtained the product from a market in Bentong, Malaysia. She experienced signs of Cushing’s syndrome, with its characteristics of a rounded “moon face” appearance and abnormal fat accumulation on her upper back. She also developed lethargy upon stopping the product. A family friend, who is a pharmacist, suspected that the product was adulterated and reported the case to HSA. The woman has since recovered after she sought treatment at an Accident and Emergency department and stopped using the product.
The product “血压高中风青草药草 (Xue Ya Gao Zhong Feng Qing Cao Yao Cao)” was marketed as a herbal remedy and claimed to remove blood vessel blockages, relieve back pain and limb stiffness, and help with multiple chronic conditions such as hypertension, stroke, and diabetes. HSA’s analysis revealed that it contained dexamethasone, a potent steroid which is a prescription medicine and should only be used under strict medical supervision. From HSA's investigations, there are no known local suppliers of this product.
In the case of “B-LIAN-S HERBAL CREAM 百莲霜草本修复乳膏 (Bai Lian Shuang Cao Ben Xiu Fu Ru Gao)”, a 12-year-old boy had applied it regularly for two months for his eczema. He rapidly gained 6kg over this period and developed stretch marks on his legs. The child's mother came across the product on Facebook and placed an order with the vendor who was based in Malaysia through Facebook Messenger.“B-LIAN-S HERBAL CREAM 百莲霜草本修复乳膏 (Bai Lian Shuang Cao Ben Xiu Fu Ru Gao)” was marketed as a “Natural Extract Formula” with “zero steroids” to manage psoriasis, eczema, red and itchy skin. However, when HSA tested the product, it was found to contain a potent steroid (clobetasol), and an antifungal agent (miconazole). HSA’s investigations found that the overseas vendor’s social media account was linked to a local Shopee store. HSA has since worked with the platform administrator to disable the online store, while the relevant Malaysian authorities have also been alerted to the Facebook account.
Please refer to the following website in HSA for details:
http://www.hsa.gov.sg/announcements/3-consumers-including-a-12-year-old-adverse-effects/
In Hong Kong, the above products are not registered pharmaceutical products.
Ends/Friday, Jul 24, 2026
Issued at HKT 15:30
|
| |
