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A major Japanese pharmaceutical company has recalled a cholesterol-lowering drug after two people died and more than 100 people became ill from taking it. The Guardian reports this.
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, a company specializing in over-the-counter drugs and dietary supplements, has launched a nationwide recall, and Japanese authorities have launched an investigation into thousands of the company’s products. This concerns three brands of ‘beni koji choleste help’, with red yeast produced by fermenting rice, which is said to help lower bad cholesterol.
However, the fermentation process of the rice could also produce the poison citrinin, which causes kidney damage. One user is said to have used the product for three years and died of kidney disease. “We are aware of one case where there is a potential link between a death and our product,” Kobayashi Pharmaceutical said.
The Japanese Ministry of Health is also aware of a second death. “In total, we suspect a link with two deaths and 106 cases of possible hospital admissions,” a spokesperson said.