Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co., a company based in Osaka, Japan, has revealed that it has discovered 11 more deaths that should have been reported to Japan’s health ministry. These deaths are believed to be linked to the company’s health supplements containing “beni koji,” a type of red fermented rice.
The discovery was made during an internal investigation conducted by the company after it realized that it had failed to report four deaths connected to the same supplements. Upon closer examination of their records, they found evidence of these additional deaths that should have been reported earlier.
The supplements in question contain “beni koji,” which is commonly used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine. While it has not been confirmed whether these products caused the deaths, the findings suggest potential health risks associated with them.
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical has issued an apology for its delayed reporting of these deaths to the health ministry. The company has pledged to enhance its reporting system and ensure that similar mistakes do not occur in the future. A spokesperson from Kobayashi Pharmaceutical stated, “We deeply regret not reporting these deaths promptly. We will make every effort to promptly report any future incidents and improve our monitoring procedures.”
Japan’s health ministry is concerned about this situation and has requested a detailed report from Kobayashi Pharmaceutical regarding the cases and the specific supplements involved. Based on this information, further actions such as product recalls or warnings may be implemented by the ministry.
In response to this revelation, other pharmaceutical companies have expressed support for stricter regulations and improved monitoring of health supplements. They believe that stronger regulations are crucial for safeguarding public health and ensuring product safety. A representative from another pharmaceutical company emphasized, “Consumer safety must be our priority, necessitating enhanced regulations for health supplements. This incident highlights the need for better monitoring and reporting systems.”
The discovery of these additional deaths raises significant concerns about the safety of supplements containing “beni koji.” It also underscores how vital it is for companies to accurately report and monitor their products. As investigations continue, gathering all necessary information becomes paramount in protecting public health. In the meantime, consumers are advised to exercise caution when using these supplements and consult healthcare professionals if they have any concerns or experience any side effects.
