TOKYO: Japanese drugmaker, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, announced on Friday that it is probing five deaths potentially associated with dietary supplements designed to lower cholesterol levels. The company expressed remorse for the “anxiety and fear” caused by the situation.
Following reports of kidney problems from customers, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical initiated a recall of three brands of over-the-counter tablets. These tablets contained red yeast rice, also known as “beni koji,” a substance believed to reduce cholesterol levels. However, medical studies suggest a risk of organ damage depending on the chemical composition of red yeast rice.
The crisis has attracted widespread attention in Japan, prompting Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to pledge comprehensive measures to prevent similar incidents if the deaths are confirmed to be linked to the products.
Company president Akihiro Kobayashi issued a formal apology during a news conference, vowing to devote all efforts to investigate the matter thoroughly.
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, which supplies red yeast rice to numerous firms in Japan and Taiwan, recalled its “Beni Koji Choleste Help” and two other tablet brands. Subsequently, several companies have proactively recalled food products containing red yeast rice, including sake and salad dressing.
The investigation intensified after the death of a fifth customer who had consumed Beni Koji Choleste Help and developed kidney complications. The company is collaborating with Japanese authorities to conduct further chemical analysis of its products to determine the root cause of the health issues.
In Taiwan, health authorities have reported preventive recalls of 154 products containing red yeast rice, following a similar incident involving a woman in her 70s who developed kidney failure after prolonged consumption of Kobayashi’s supplements.
Concerns have been raised regarding the regulation of red yeast rice supplements, with some watchdogs suggesting that existing regulations may not be stringent enough, and the products may not always deliver the promised effects.
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