13-7-2023 (SINGAPORE) The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) issued a statement on Wednesday, revealing that four products have been found to contain potent medicinal ingredients, including steroids and a banned substance. Three of the products have led to adverse effects in some consumers.
The identified products are Enru Plus+, HKT Herba Kurus Tradisi, Pill Hua Luo Cin Tan, and Spinach Ginseng Herb Sugar. They were available for sale on various local e-commerce platforms such as Shopee, Lazada, Carousell, and Qoo10, with sellers based in both Singapore and Malaysia. Enru Plus+ was also promoted on Facebook.
Upon discovering these findings, HSA collaborated with platform administrators to remove the affected listings and issued warnings to the respective sellers. As the four products were either sold in Malaysia or by sellers based in Malaysia, HSA promptly notified its Malaysian counterpart.
Consumers who consumed Enru Plus+ and HKT Herba Kurus Tradisi reported experiencing breathlessness, heart palpitations, dizziness, and severe insomnia. Both products were marketed online as slimming aids and claimed to contain natural ingredients. HKT Herba Kurus Tradisi also asserted to be “100 percent herbal” and free from banned substances. Contrary to these claims, HSA tests detected high levels of sibutramine in Enru Plus+ and HKT Herba Kurus Tradisi. Sibutramine is a prescription weight-loss medicine that has been banned in Singapore since 2010 due to its association with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Other reported serious health consequences include heart problems, psychosis, and hallucinations.
In another case, a man in his 50s purchased Pill Hua Luo Cin Tan from a “traditional Chinese medicine shop” in Malaysia to alleviate his wrist pain. However, he developed symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome, a severe condition induced by steroids. The man was hospitalized for approximately a month due to complications. Cushing’s syndrome is characterized by physical changes such as facial puffiness and abnormal blood cortisol levels, which can lead to fatigue, weakness, muscle and joint pain, low blood pressure, seizures, or shock. Additionally, the man experienced a relapse of hepatitis, with increased liver inflammation. HSA tests confirmed the presence of potent steroids and a painkiller in the product.
HSA emphasized that unsupervised long-term use of steroids can result in increased blood sugar levels, leading to diabetes, Cushing’s syndrome, immune system suppression, and a heightened risk of infections and other serious adverse effects. Misuse of the painkiller can cause severe stomach bleeding.
Feedback and reports of adverse events related to Enru Plus+, HKT Herba Kurus Tradisi, and Pill Hua Luo Cin Tan were received by HSA from March to May. The Spinach Ginseng Herb Sugar product was brought to HSA’s attention by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority. Packaged as candy, the product was marketed as a male sexual enhancement aid, with exaggerated claims of “strengthening heart tissues” and “repairing the endocrine system.” HSA tests revealed that the product contained tadalafil, a prescription medicine for erectile dysfunction, at a dosage 45 times higher than the usual recommended amount.
The use of tadalafil without proper medical supervision is dangerous and can lead to serious adverse effects, including heart attack, stroke, headaches, irregular heart rate, migraine, and priapism (prolonged and painful erections).
HSA advised consumers who have been taking Pill Hua Luo Cin Tan to seek medical attention without delay. It cautioned against abruptly discontinuing the product without medical supervision, as it could worsen underlying medical conditions or lead to severe withdrawal symptoms.
For the other three products, HSA urged consumers to cease consumption immediately and consult a doctor if they experience any discomfort or have concerns about their health.
HSA also provided guidance to the public, advising against purchasing products from unknown or unverified sources, and exercising caution when buying items from overseas, online platforms, or even well-intentioned friends or relatives. It emphasized the importance of purchasing from reputable pharmacies or retailers’ websites, or those with a well-established retail presence in Singapore.
HSA stressed that all sellers and suppliers must halt the sale of these products immediately. The authority will not hesitate to take strict enforcement actions against anyone found selling or supplying products adulterated with banned substances or potent ingredients. Sellers and suppliers found guilty can face prosecution, with potential penalties of up to two years’ imprisonment and fines of up to $10,000.
