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The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) warned members of the public against purchasing and consuming two products, "D'Sihat Herbal Gout dan Sendi" and "Yanwo Chongcao Yanyin Qinfei Huatan Dan" ("海马牌燕窝冬虫夏草 養陰清肺化痰丹") in a press release on Apr. 14.

HSA shared that the products contained steroids and other potent medicinal ingredients which could be harmful for consumers.

Two members of the public had already experienced "steroid-induced adverse effects" as a result of consuming the adulterated products, HSA added.

One consumer hospitalised

One woman in her 50s was hospitalised as a result of taking the "D'Sihat Herbal Gout dan Sendi"  product for seven months for her knee pain.

According to the press release, she had developed Cushing’s syndrome, a serious steroid-induced medical condition that is characterised by a rounded or "moon face" appearance.

The woman also experienced weight gain, lower limb swelling, and had elevated blood sugar levels.

Subsequently, she was diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency, in which her body was not able to produce adequate amounts of steroid hormones, after stopping her usage of the product.

Another woman in her 40s experienced abnormal blood cortisol levels after consuming the "Yanwo Chongcao Yanyin Qinfei Huatan Dan" product for two months for her chronic cough.

Luckily, her doctor had reported the case to HSA after suspecting that the product may have been laced with additional ingredients.

Both consumers had obtained these products from Malaysia through their friends.

HSA said that it has since alerted its Malaysian counterpart to aid in the detection of these adulterated products.

It would also be working with the administrators of local e-commerce and social media platforms, such as Facebook and Shopee, to remove the listings it had discovered online.

Investigations are ongoing.

Background

According to the release, "D'Sihat Herbal Gout dan Sendi" had been marketed to provide pain relief for consumers, and was falsely labelled to be free of steroids.

On the other hand, the "Yanwo Chongcao Yanyin Qinfei Huatan Dan" product was marketed to help relieve cough and was touted as “100% natural pure herbal”, HSA said.

However, after testing the products, HSA had found them to contain steroids and other "potent medicinal ingredients", including stronger antihistamines such as Chlorpheniramine and Promethazine.

Both antihistamines are typically used to relieve allergic conditions and should be used under medical supervision.

HSA advised consumers to see a doctor as soon as possible if they had been taking the two products, and warned that the sudden stopping of such products after long-term use could worsen underlying medical conditions or result in serious withdrawal conditions.

The agency also warned all sellers and suppliers to cease selling the products immediately.

"HSA will not hesitate to take stern enforcement actions against anyone who sells and/or supplies products found to be adulterated with potent medicinal ingredients.

Sellers and suppliers of these products are liable to prosecution and if convicted, may be fined up to S$10,000 and/or imprisoned for up to two years."

Top images via HSA