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6 men die from consuming illegal sex drugs in the last 5 months
Posted: 31 October 2008 1625 hrs
Photos 1 of 1
Power 1 Walnut
SINGAPORE: Illegal sex drugs have claimed the lives of another six Singaporean men, bringing the death toll to 10 this year. The oldest victim is an 84-year-old man.
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said the latest fatalities reinforce the serious health hazards brought about by consuming these products.
Illegal products such as Power 1 Walnut, fake Cialis, Santi Niubian - also known as Santi Bovine Penis Erecting Capsule - and Zhonghua Niubian contain dangerous levels of the drug glibenclamide, which is used to treat patients with diabetes.
The HSA has seized over 500,000 units of such illegal pills with an estimated street value of S$1 million in the last 10 months.
Those who consume the fatal drugs develop hypoglycaemia or low blood sugar, which can lead to serious reactions such as seizures and coma.
The HSA has received 209 reported cases of severe reactions to the drugs. Out of these, 61 were confirmed cases and 148 suspected cases.
Although there has been a 40 per cent drop in such cases in the last five months, HSA is concerned that people are still consuming these illegal pills despite repeated warnings of its health hazards.
Chan Cheng Leng, director, Pharmacovigilance Branch, Health Sciences Authority, said: "Patients come in with fits and seizures. Some of them lose consciousness and many of these coma patients have died. For those who have not died, they have permanent neurological impairment like they can't communicate with their family members and they can't feed themselves." - CNA/vm
6 men die from consuming illegal sex drugs in the last 5 months
Posted: 31 October 2008 1625 hrs
Photos 1 of 1
Power 1 Walnut
SINGAPORE: Illegal sex drugs have claimed the lives of another six Singaporean men, bringing the death toll to 10 this year. The oldest victim is an 84-year-old man.
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said the latest fatalities reinforce the serious health hazards brought about by consuming these products.
Illegal products such as Power 1 Walnut, fake Cialis, Santi Niubian - also known as Santi Bovine Penis Erecting Capsule - and Zhonghua Niubian contain dangerous levels of the drug glibenclamide, which is used to treat patients with diabetes.
The HSA has seized over 500,000 units of such illegal pills with an estimated street value of S$1 million in the last 10 months.
Those who consume the fatal drugs develop hypoglycaemia or low blood sugar, which can lead to serious reactions such as seizures and coma.
The HSA has received 209 reported cases of severe reactions to the drugs. Out of these, 61 were confirmed cases and 148 suspected cases.
Although there has been a 40 per cent drop in such cases in the last five months, HSA is concerned that people are still consuming these illegal pills despite repeated warnings of its health hazards.
Chan Cheng Leng, director, Pharmacovigilance Branch, Health Sciences Authority, said: "Patients come in with fits and seizures. Some of them lose consciousness and many of these coma patients have died. For those who have not died, they have permanent neurological impairment like they can't communicate with their family members and they can't feed themselves." - CNA/vm
