HSA warns public not to take 4 traditional medicines

SINGAPORE - Four health products sold as traditional Chinese and Malay medicines have been found to contain unapproved western medicines, the Health Science Authority (HSA) said.

HSA warns the public not to buy or consume the following four products: ATHRI-Eze, Sear Heang Tienchi Tu Chung Wan, Cap Wijaya Kusuma (An Ki It) and Wiku Jahe Kencur (Akur Mujarab).

The products have been found to contain potent western medicines that have serious side-effects and should only be taken under strict medical supervision.

If members of the public have taken them, they should cease immediately and seek medical attention should they feel unwell or have concerns, HSA advised.

The alert was raised after patients who had taken the medicines suffered adverse reactions or experienced unexpected effects after consuming the products.

ATHRI-Eze claims to relief backache, joint and muscular pain, and is sold in a bottle of 20 white capsules. It was tested to contain three undeclared medicinal ingredients: dexamethasone, frusemide and paracetamol.

Sear Heang Tienchi Tu Chung Wan claims to relief rheumatic pain and backaches, and is sold in a bottle of 20 black pills with a red label. It was tested to contain chlorpheniramine and dexamethasone.

Cap Wijaya Kusuma and Wiku Jahe Kencur are promoted as Malay medicines for rheumatoid and arthritic conditions, swollen legs and stiff joints, and are packaged in foiled sachets of brown powder.

The former was found to contain phenylbutazone and paracetamol. The latter was found to contain allopurinol, prednisolone and chlorpeniramine.

It is an offence to sell traditional medicines which contain western medicinal ingredients controlled under the Poisons Act. Those caught will be fined up to a maximum of S$10,000 and/or sentenced to prison for a period of not more than two years.