Products found to contain undeclared medicines
|
| |
| Singapore: 3 People experienced 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 four products found to be sold at various locations including online platforms and from makeshift stalls around Singapore. They have been tested by HSA and found to contain medicinal ingredients that may be harmful if taken without medical supervision, including potent ingredients like steroids, and the banned substance, sibutramine. The four products are:
- “Ubat Angin Tulang (松筋风湿透骨丸)” : contains dexamethasone (potent steroid), furosemide (diuretic/water pill), chlorpheniramine (antihistamine)
- “Tianma Duzhong Shujing Wan (天麻杜仲舒筋丸 [山花商标])” : contains dexamethasone, prednisolone (potent steroids), diclofenac (anti-inflammatory painkiller), furosemide (diuretic/water pill), chlorpheniramine (antihistamine)
- “IM SO am” : contains sibutramine (banned substance)
- “IM TOX pm” : contains sennosides (laxative)
Three consumers developed serious adverse effects after taking the products, including high blood pressure, severe tremors and insomnia. HSA has worked with the online platforms to remove the listings, and investigations on the sellers are ongoing.
A woman in her 60s took “Ubat Angin Tulang (松筋风湿透骨丸)” for a period of up to three months for her knee pain. She had obtained the product from a relative who purchased it from a makeshift stall in Jurong. She rapidly gained 10 kg and developed elevated blood pressure. Her family member, who is a healthcare professional, suspected that the product was adulterated and reported the case to HSA. “Ubat Angin Tulang” was touted to strengthen muscles and help with pain management. The product’s label stated only herbal ingredients, including ginseng and cordyceps. However, when HSA tested the product, it was found to contain three potent medicinal ingredients, namely dexamethasone, furosemide and chlorpheniramine. 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. Investigations on the seller are ongoing.
In another case, an elderly man in his 80s experienced dizziness and a drop in blood pressure after consuming “Tianma Duzhong Shujing Wan (天麻杜仲舒筋丸 [山花商标])” for his knee pain for about one year. He had obtained the product from his relative who had purchased it from Malaysia. He was diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency which led his doctor to suspect that the product was adulterated and to report the case to HSA. “Tianma Duzhong Shujing Wan” was labelled as containing only herbs, including ginseng. However, HSA’s analysis detected five potent medicinal ingredients namely, dexamethasone and prednisolone, diclofenac, furosemide, and chlorpheniramine. From HSA's investigations, there are no known local suppliers of this product.
A woman experienced severe tremors, insomnia, light-headedness and almost fainted twice after consuming “IM SO am” and “IM TOX pm”. Both products were marketed to be taken together for slimming purposes and were labelled to contain food and botanical extracts to “promote better body balance”. However, HSA’s analysis revealed that “IM SO am” contained the banned substance, sibutramine, and “IM TOX pm” contained an undeclared laxative (sennosides). HSA found sale listings of “IM SO am” and “IM TOX pm” on Shopee, Lazada and Carousell and has worked with the platform administrators to swiftly remove the affected listings.
Please refer to the following website in HSA for details:
http://www.hsa.gov.sg/announcements/press-release/3-people-adverse-effects-banned-medicinal-ingredients
In Hong Kong, the above products are not registered pharmaceutical products.
Ends/Thursday, Mar 19, 2026
Issued at HKT 14:30
|
| |
