The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has warned the public to steer clear of two illegal pain relief products after one left a consumer hospitalised.
One comes in powder form packed in unlabelled pink sachets. The other drug is a black tablet labelled as a “special effect rheumatism pill” in Mandarin.
The drugs, which claim to treat pain and rheumatism, were sold by a woman in her 60s.
The HSA said on Wednesday that laboratory tests of the products found undeclared potent ingredients, such as dexamethasone – a steroid which should only be used under strict medical supervision.
A woman in her 40s who had consumed the powdered product over a “prolonged period” was hospitalised for delirium, high blood sugar, and electrolyte imbalance in her blood, the HSA said.
She also had suspected Cushing’s syndrome, which is characterised by a round face or “moon face” and upper body obesity with thin limbs.
HSA enforcement officers uncovered the other illegal product after they raided the peddler’s home.
The HSA said that individuals who have been consuming the products should consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Anyone with information on the sale and supply of these two illegal products or other illegal products can contact the HSA’s enforcement branch at 6866 3485 or email:[email protected]
Source: www.straitstimes.com
