Japan's Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Probing 76 More Deaths Linked to Cholesterol-Lowering Supplement

Health Supplement Scandal in Japan

Tokyo, Japan - A significant health supplement scandal has emerged in Japan, as Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, a renowned health supplement maker, has been investigating a concerning number of deaths potentially linked to its products. The investigation has revealed a deepening of the scandal, with 76 additional deaths under scrutiny for their possible connection to the company's tablets containing red yeast rice, which are primarily designed to lower cholesterol.

Potential Health Risks

This scandal unfolded earlier this year when the company initially disclosed that it was looking into five deaths that were potentially linked to its over-the-counter products, following numerous reports of customers experiencing kidney problems. The tablets containing red yeast rice, also known as "benikoji," are fermented with a mould culture and have been historically used in food, alcoholic beverages, and traditional medicines across East Asia.

"Even if the direct cause of hospitalization or death was not kidney-related disease, it has become clear that there are a variety of cases, including cases in which benikoji-related products may have caused harm somehow and had some indirect impact,"

A statement from Kobayashi Pharmaceutical acknowledged the concerning nature of the situation, indicating that there may be a broader range of cases where the benikoji-related products could have caused harm in some way, potentially leading to an indirect impact on health.

Expanded Investigation

Following the initial five deaths under investigation, the company has now revealed that one of the individuals did not consume red yeast rice. The company has received a total of 1,656 inquiries from individuals seeking medical attention, with an additional 76 cases currently under investigation for a potential connection to the deaths, in addition to the original four.

Recall and Government Intervention

On March 22, in response to the unfolding situation, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical announced the recall of three types of tablets containing benikoji. Further investigation by the company uncovered the presence of a potentially toxic acid produced by the mould at one of its factories, leading to government officials inspecting the firm's facilities.

Impact and Measures

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, a well-known name in Japan for offering a wide range of health-related products, has faced intense scrutiny and widespread media attention due to this scandal. The company has committed to identifying the exact cause and extent of the health damage, including investigating whether organs other than the kidneys were affected.

Yoshimasa Hayashi, a top government spokesman, expressed disappointment at the company's handling of the situation, revealing that the health ministry had issued orders for a daily report on the ongoing probe. The ministry demanded more detailed information after the number of deaths under investigation remained unchanged earlier this month.

International Ramifications

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical has disclosed that it supplied red yeast rice to approximately 50 other companies in Japan and two in Taiwan. Following the unfolding events, Taiwanese companies took precautionary measures by recalling 154 products containing red yeast rice. This move came in response to the health scare, as confirmed by the island's health authorities earlier this year.