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Japanese authorities recently conducted a raid on a drug factory following reports of health issues linked to a popular health supplement. The Osaka plant of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. was the target of the raid, with footage of the event being widely broadcast on Japanese news. The supplement in question is a pink pill called Benikoji Choleste Help, designed to lower cholesterol levels.
One of the key ingredients in the supplement is benikoji, a type of red mold that has been used in various drugs for years. Despite this, reports of health issues linked to the supplement first surfaced in 2023, with some users experiencing kidney failure. In response to these concerns, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical recalled the pills on March 22 and issued an apology from company President Akihiro Kobayashi for not taking action sooner.
The company has limited knowledge about the cause of the sickness and is currently working with Japanese authorities to investigate its effects. Japan’s Health Ministry has attributed at least five deaths and 114 hospitalizations to the supplements and has cautioned that the number of affected individuals could rise. The supplement has been subject to scrutiny and will continue to be investigated by authorities as they work to uncover more information about its potential risks and side effects.
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical disclosed that it had sold over a million packages of the pill over the last three fiscal years, including to other manufacturers. This news highlights the importance of closely monitoring and regulating dietary supplements before they are brought into widespread use.
In conclusion, while we may rely on dietary supplements for our health needs, it is important to ensure that they are safe and effective before using them regularly or recommending them to others. This article serves as a reminder that even seemingly harmless substances can have serious consequences when not properly tested or regulated.
