Singapore consumer alert over illegal herbal product

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) in Singapore has warned consumers not to take an illegal herbal product labelled as ‘Asam Urat Flu Tulang, PJ. Dewandaru’, which has been found to be adulterated with Western medicinal ingredients diclofenac, dexamethasone and paracetamol. The HSA was alerted to the adulterated product through a report of an adverse drug reaction submitted by a doctor, who suspected that a patient had developed an allergic drug reaction after consuming the herbal product. The product claims to treat joint pain, rheumatism and arthritis. The product was purchased in Indonesia and brought into Singapore by the patient for personal use. There is no evidence that this product is on sale in Singapore, but consumers are advised to be vigilant.

<http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=72588>, accessed June 26, 2007.