HSA Alert: ‘AK-II Phenomenal King’ and ‘Premium Pro S Flash’ Found to Contain High Levels of Potent Medicinal Ingredients

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is alerting members of the public not to purchase or consume two products sold online. HSA’s analysis of these products revealed that they contained high levels of potent medicinal ingredients which can cause serious adverse effects in consumers. The two products are:

Product name

Potent medicinal ingredients

‘AK-II Phenomenal King’

Tadalafil – an erectile dysfunction medicine

‘Premium Pro S Flash’

Sibutramine – a banned weight loss medicine

2        The products were sold on local e-commerce (Carousell, Qoo10, Lazada and Shopee) and social media platforms (Facebook). HSA has worked with the platform administrators to remove the affected listings and has issued warnings to the sellers. Please refer to Annex A for photos of the products. 

‘AK-II Phenomenal King’ found to contain over 60 times higher dose of erectile dysfunction medicine

3        HSA was alerted to the online sale of ‘AK-II Phenomenal King’ by a member of the public. The product was marketed online as a natural product for sexual enhancement. The product claimed to be “devoid of animal element, devoid of stimulants, devoid of side effects”. HSA tested the product and found that it contained up to over 60 times the usual dose of tadalafil, a prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction that should only be given under medical supervision. Inappropriate use of tadalafil is dangerous and can increase the risk of serious adverse effects, including heart attacks, stroke, palpitations, irregular heart rate and priapism (painful and exceedingly long erections). Tadalafil can also pose serious risks to certain individuals, including those with heart-related problems. It can cause potentially life-threatening low blood pressure in those who are on heart medications, especially those containing nitrates.

Consumer experienced adverse effects after taking ‘Premium Pro S Flash’

4        HSA received feedback from a consumer who experienced fast heart rate, insomnia and nausea after using ‘Premium Pro S Flash’.  HSA tested ‘Premium Pro S Flash’ and detected high levels of sibutramine. The continued intake of the product could have led to even more serious health consequences. ‘Premium Pro S Flash’ was advertised as a weight loss product which contained natural ingredients such as red ginseng, red sage, wild yam, and as a new version of ‘Flash Slim’. ‘Flash Slim’ was an adulterated product which HSA had tested to contain sibutramine and alerted the public to in March 2021.[1] ‘Premium Pro S Flash’ was also sold as pink or white capsules with no clear instructions on whether both capsules should be taken individually or together. The lack of proper instructions on how to take the product, absence of manufacturing information, and the misleading marketing claims were revealing signs that this product was not sold by a reliable source.

5        Sibutramine was a prescription-only weight loss medicine that has been banned in Singapore since 2010 due to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Other serious health consequences include heart problems and central nervous system disorders (e.g., psychosis and hallucinations). In 2019, a consumer experienced extremely fast heart rate and became unconscious. She was resuscitated and suffered debilitating consequences requiring the implantation of a defibrillator (a medical device) to help her heart to function.

Advisory to consumers

6        Consumers are advised on the following:

  • Stop taking ‘AK-II Phenomenal King’ and ‘Premium Pro S Flash’ immediately and    consult a doctor if you feel unwell or are concerned about your health.
  • Be wary of products that deliver quick effects or carry exaggerated claims. They can contain potent ingredients that can seriously harm your health.
  • Exercise caution when buying such products online as you cannot be certain            where and how these products were made and whether they have been                    adulterated with harmful ingredients. Adulterated products are often manufactured under poor conditions with no quality control, and different batches of the same product may contain variable amounts of ingredients and/or different types of adulterants.
  • There is no quick and easy way to lose weight. Weight control should be achieved through a combination of balanced diet and appropriate exercise. If you need help managing your weight, please consult your doctor, dietitian, or a healthcare professional.

Advisory to sellers and suppliers

7        All sellers and suppliers must stop selling ‘AK-II Phenomenal King’ and ‘Premium Pro S Flash’ immediately. HSA will not hesitate to take stern enforcement actions against anyone who sells and/or supplies products found to be adulterated with potent medicinal ingredients. Sellers and suppliers who are selling ‘AK-II Phenomenal King’ and ‘Premium Pro S Flash’ are liable to be prosecuted and if convicted, may be imprisoned for up to 2 years and/or fined up to $10,000.

8        Members of the public who have any information on the sale and supply of these illegal products may contact HSA's Enforcement Branch at Tel: 6866-3485 during office hours (Monday to Friday) or email: hsa_is@hsa.gov.sg.

[1] https://www.hsa.gov.sg/announcements/press-release/four-products-sibutramine-25mar

HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE
27 APRIL 2022

 

Consumer, Healthcare professional, Industry member, Health supplements
Published:

Press Releases