Chitchat 50 years on and we still consume these "medicines"

[scroobal]

The authorities need to find a happy medium to spell out the dangers of consuming chinese medical products without upsetting the Chinese physicians and medical stores. 14 years ago we had a local star needing a transplant after a liver failure rom consuming these sort of products and this still goes on.

Now we have Singaporeans going over to Malaysia to buy these products.


http://www.theonlinecitizen.com/201...ur-hospitalisation-for-serious-conditions/HSA issues public alert on health products that led to four hospitalisation for serious conditions 0
BY NEYLA ZANNIA ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 CURRENT AFFAIRS
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) issues a public alert to members of the public for them not to purchase or consume three health products bought in Malaysia that were tested to contain several undeclared western medicinal ingredients, including a potent steroid and several prescription-only medicines.

The three health products are listed below.

Earlier in 2005, HSA had warned consumers against purchasing or consuming ‘Snake Powder Capsule’ as it was found to be adulterated with undeclared ingredients.

According to HSA, four patients were hospitalised for serious conditions, including liver injury and metabolic disorder, after consuming them.

A father, in his 50s, and his daughter, in his 30s, were hospitalised for about a week after consuming ‘Snake Powder Capsules’ for three weeks. The father had liver injury, while his daughter developed drug-induced hepatitis or inflammation of the liver.

A patient, in her 60s, was also hospitalised for about a week after consuming ‘JC Gold’ for about four months. She developed Cushing’s syndrome, a metabolic disorder characterised by round face or ‘moon face’, upper body obesity with thin limbs, and high blood glucose. The presence of dexamethasone (a potent steroid) in the product is likely to have contributed to her medical condition.

Another male patient who is in his 70s was hospitalised for Cushing’s syndrome for over a week after taking ‘Tu Cho Pan Chi Pian’ for a few years to help with lower limb weakness. Similar to ‘JC Gold’, ‘Tu Cho Pan Chi Pian’ was found to contain dexamethasone, which could have caused Cushing’s syndrome in the patient.

‘Snake Powder Capsules’ was said to contain natural ingredients, including a protein found in various snake species’ venom, and was touted to treat a variety of illnesses, such as pneumonia, hepatitis, shingles, kidney disease, skin problems, joint pain and rheumatism. ‘JC Gold’ is marketed for joint pains and labelled to contain various natural herbs. ‘Tu Cho Pan Chi Pian’ is labelled to treat rheumatic joint pain, backache and numbness of the limbs. All three products were purchased overseas, either by the patients themselves or through their friends or relatives.

HSA noted that Dexamethasone is a potent steroid that is usually prescribed for inflammatory conditions, and should only be used under strict medical supervision. It was one of the undeclared ingredients found in all three products. Long-term unsupervised use of such an oral steroid can cause Cushing’s syndrome, increased blood glucose levels leading to diabetes, high blood pressure, cataracts, muscular and bone disorders, and an increased risk of infections.

Members of the public who have purchased or are consuming these products are advised to:

Consult a doctor as soon as possible. Do not stop the use of any of the three products immediately as sudden discontinuation of steroids without proper medical supervision can cause serious withdrawal symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, confusion and low blood pressure, especially if they have been consumed for more than a few weeks.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you need help for the management of your acute and chronic medical symptoms and conditions (e.g. joint pain or eczema). Be wary of any health products that produce unexpected quick recovery of medical conditions, especially when purchasing them from sources which you may not be familiar with, even if well-meaning friends or relatives have recommended them. You cannot be certain where and how these products were made. They may be illegal, counterfeit or substandard, and may contain undeclared ingredients which can harm your health.
Anyone convicted of selling illegal health products may be liable for prosecution under the Health Products Act, Poisons Act and/or Medicines Act. Offenders will face a penalty fine of up to $100,000 and/or imprisonment for a period of up to three years under the Health Products Act; a penalty fine of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment for a period of up to two years under the Poisons Act and a penalty fine of up to $5,000 and/or imprisonment for a period of up to two years under the Medicines Act.

 

[Leongsam]

Unfortunately every generation produces a considerable number of idiots who believe that the solution to all their problems is contained in some magic capsule.

I used to be a firm believer that a sound education would result in a world where people made common sense decisions which were evidence based.

Unfortunately I have since discovered to my dismay that the average human mind is fragile and easily manipulated. It does not bode well for the future.

 

[scroobal]

You do realise that this is more political than one around education. There have been previous discussions and attempts in the civil service on running a full campaign but for political reasons they are not comfortable doing it. They are prepared to let a few die or maim themselves.

I was told that decades ago prior to HDB flats, it was felt that to take an elevator required some degree of education. But necessity forced them to build tall HDB flats. Suddenly everyone became educated overnight.

Al it takes is a full blown campaign showing the effects and the harm done over the last 50 year.

Unfortunately every generation produces a considerable number of idiots who believe that the solution to all their problems is contained in some magic capsule.

I used to be a firm believer that a sound education would result in a world where people made common sense decisions which were evidence based.

Unfortunately I have since discovered to my dismay that the average human mind is fragile and easily manipulated. It does not bode well for the future.

 

[Leongsam]

You do realise that this is more political than one around education. There have been previous discussions and attempts in the civil service on running a full campaign but for political reasons they are not comfortable doing it. They are prepared to let a few die or maim themselves.

I was told that decades ago prior to HDB flats, it was felt that to take an elevator required some degree of education. But necessity forced them to build tall HDB flats. Suddenly everyone became educated overnight.

Al it takes is a full blown campaign showing the effects and the harm done over the last 50 year.

I'm not just referring to Singapore I'm talking about the situation the world over. The fact that there are actually people who believe the earth is flat says it all.

 

[halsey02]

You do realise that this is more political than one around education. There have been previous discussions and attempts in the civil service on running a full campaign but for political reasons they are not comfortable doing it. They are prepared to let a few die or maim themselves.

I was told that decades ago prior to HDB flats, it was felt that to take an elevator required some degree of education. But necessity forced them to build tall HDB flats. Suddenly everyone became educated overnight.

Al it takes is a full blown campaign showing the effects and the harm done over the last 50 year.

You will notice that, most of the consumers of these "snake powder" medicine & all those others reported over time are mostly from the PIONEER or the "BABY BOOMERS" generations. The same generations of people that make up 1 plus million last election, had "money thrown" at them voted for the PAP. If they can buy " Snake powder"...they can buy " chilli craps" sold by the......

It is not the education...it is the mentality....like " you can take a man out of the jungle, but you cannot take the jungle out of the man" example....it is the mentality.

 

[halsey02]

Unfortunately every generation produces a considerable number of idiots who believe that the solution to all their problems is contained in some magic capsule.

I used to be a firm believer that a sound education would result in a world where people made common sense decisions which were evidence based.

Unfortunately I have since discovered to my dismay that the average human mind is fragile and easily manipulated. It does not bode well for the future.

It is the DNA..... one mad leader did to eliminate those with "bad DNA"....furnaces were used , it is not education....KOKO is educated to use sign language to communicate....but KOKO IS STILL A PRIMATE - A GORILLA!.

 

[zhihau]

I'm not just referring to Singapore I'm talking about the situation the world over. The fact that there are actually people who believe the earth is flat says it all.

Flatearther is a good troll!

 

[Leongsam]

Flatearther is a good troll!

Yes it is an excellent troll and the thread has generated good viewership. The problem is that far too many actually believe what they read. Just look at the poll results. Even I have been taken in.

 

[scroobal]

Trolls need constant attention and engagement. I am convinced that it's not all fun and mischief but a disorder of sorts. Can you imagine their struggle they go thru unable to engage in simple conversations yet the effort they put into their threads.

Flatearther is a good troll!

 

[Leongsam]

You will notice that, most of the consumers of these "snake powder" medicine & all those others reported over time are mostly from the PIONEER or the "BABY BOOMERS" generations.

That is my generation. In order to prepare for O levels we did chemistry, physics etc and we were taught how to conduct experiments to study cause and effect. We also learned the basics of logical thinking and how to use statistics to prove or disprove a hypothesis and what the term "statistically significant" meant.

What happened to all that knowledge? Why is what we learned not being put into practice in our every day decisions.

 

[zhihau]

The authorities need to find a happy medium to spell out the dangers of consuming chinese medical products without upsetting the Chinese physicians and medical stores.

Bro,

Any drugs through FDA take about 10-15 years to push it from design to the market, whereas legit TCM concoctions are passed down from generations thousands of years back. New drugs will be pouring out all the time, and there will always be those who wants to make a quick buck.

Key is raising the mean literacy level: As Boss rightly pointed out, the human mind is fragile and tardy. There will always be the bozos around who refuse to work their mind, lazy to think for themselves, and they can be weeded out of the population by these doctor quacks.

 

[zhihau]

Yes it is an excellent troll and the thread has generated good viewership. The problem is that far too many actually believe what they read. Just look at the poll results. Even I have been taken in.

A few jibes at the polls needed to keep that thread going, you see... Teehee...

 

[Leongsam]

Bro,

Any drugs through FDA take about 10-15 years to push it from design to the market, whereas legit TCM concoctions are passed down from generations thousands of years back.

Thousands of years of quackery which has no scientific basis whatsoever. How many TCM concoctions would be able to meet the requirements of a double blind test? My guess is less than 5%. What would yours be?

 

[zhihau]

Can you imagine their struggle they go thru unable to engage in simple conversations yet the effort they put into their threads.

Agree, can't say it's all fun and game

 

[zhihau]

Thousands of years of quackery which has no scientific basis whatsoever. How many TCM concoctions would be able to meet the requirements of a double blind test? My guess is less than 5%. What would yours be?

李时珍 and his 本草纲目 is one of the best documented records on the medicinal properties of plant parts. The description of the plant and its various parts was to the best of its generation. Tested by folks generations over to work. Even modern day science is looking at the TCM herbs: isolating and identifying its active compounds for novel drug discovery.

If you want me to put a figure on it, I'd say about 95% of those individually documented herbs have the medicinal properties as prescribed, put it to double blind test and I say 90% will clear. In terms of the permutations resulting from the types and quantities of herbs used, my confidence level isn't as high as yours. I only put the blame squarely on those who knew too little and yet trying to pull a fast one.

 

[frenchbriefs]

Nothing wrong with it......

"Snake powder capsule" and "JC gold" is the pioneer generation's snake oil remedy and magic capsule.......

the current generation's magic capsule and snake oil capsule is "veganism" "soursopism" " juicing" and "gluten free" and any other fucktarded tonyism........nothing changes,the idiots just get more and more sophisticated.

 

[scroobal]

Yes and no. People especially if they are ill generally assume that if it is publicly available the authorities have allowed it. In the UK, US and Australia, people don't touch these stuff. Not that they are better educated but they are aware.

Not talking about TCM but those who rely on TCM record to pedal their own products. The Govt fears the damage to TCM industry so they have left the rogue drugs to continue. It is an issue where sino enclaves are predominant.

Bro,

Any drugs through FDA take about 10-15 years to push it from design to the market, whereas legit TCM concoctions are passed down from generations thousands of years back. New drugs will be pouring out all the time, and there will always be those who wants to make a quick buck.

Key is raising the mean literacy level: As Boss rightly pointed out, the human mind is fragile and tardy. There will always be the bozos around who refuse to work their mind, lazy to think for themselves, and they can be weeded out of the population by these doctor quacks.

 

[rover2sg]

Yes and no. People especially if they are ill generally assume that if it is publicly available the authorities have allowed it. In the UK, US and Australia, people don't touch these stuff. Not that they are better educated but they are aware.

Not talking about TCM but those who rely on TCM record to pedal their own products. The Govt fears the damage to TCM industry so they have left the rogue drugs to continue. It is an issue where sino enclaves are predominant.

This and all the other relevant comments are worth noting and considering.
The whole problem seems to be now with our Ministry of Health and all its "lapses" and "waiting for double confirmations" and wrongful assessments.
All the "good" matters in our medical services ) including the private sectors were due to our better bunch of doctors and health professionals, not to our "political" "leaders".

 

[scroobal]

There is a good book by Simon Singh from the UK called Trick or Treatment that you can get online. Uses sciences i.e. double blind etc to test these things. The hardest challenge was to test the veracity of acupuncture and quite impressive.

 

[scroobal]

Agree. Look at how HK handled the first case that showed positive for the preliminary test. They immediately notified he public. When the second test came negative, they told the public. Speed is essential for any infectious disease and this is known to be highly contagious. What were they thinking with this double confirmation nonsense.

We are also so cautious about the nationally of those infected that nothing is told. We now finding out from China, India, Bangladesh and Malaysia of how many of their Nationals have been infected in Singapore. Real shocking.

This and all the other relevant comments are worth noting and considering.
The whole problem seems to be now with our Ministry of Health and all its "lapses" and "waiting for double confirmations" and wrongful assessments.
All the "good" matters in our medical services ) including the private sectors were due to our better bunch of doctors and health professionals, not to our "political" "leaders".