Both products contained steroids
Both women obtained the products from Malaysia through friends. HSA said it had alerted its Malaysian counterparts.
Products were also sold on local e-commerce and social media platforms such as Shopee and Facebook.
HSA said it was working with platform administrators to remove the affected listings and that an investigation was ongoing.
Despite claiming otherwise, the product was tested and found to contain steroids and other powerful medicinal ingredients.
“Long-term unsupervised use of steroids such as dexamethasone can cause elevated blood sugar levels that can lead to Cushing’s syndrome, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other serious adverse effects.
Consumers taking these products were warned to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
“Suddenly discontinuing a product without medical supervision may exacerbate underlying medical conditions or cause serious withdrawal symptoms such as adrenal insufficiency,” HSA said.
Officials also advised the public to beware of products that promise quick relief from chronic medical conditions while claiming to be “herbal,” “natural,” or “steroid-free.”
enforcement action
Sellers and suppliers have been instructed to immediately stop selling “D’SIHAT HERBA GOUT & SENDI” and “Yanwo Chongcao Yanyin Qinfei Huatan Dan”.
The HSA warned it would not hesitate to take “strict enforcement action” against the sale and/or supply of products found to be adulterated with potent pharmaceutical ingredients.
Violators may be fined up to SGD2,000 (US$1,511), imprisoned up to two years, or both.
Members of the public with information regarding the sale and supply of these products should contact HSA’s Law Enforcement Department at 6866 3485 or by email. hsa_is [at] hsa.gov.sg.
