As China is struggling to deal with the current milk contamination crisis, yet another Chinese product is making headlines for the wrong reasons. Ginseng, a popular herb in China, has led to three deaths in Yunnan province.
Three people have died from Siberian Ginseng injections in the south-west China after suffering adverse side effects like chills and vomiting.
The drug is manufactured by Wandashan Pharmaceutical, based in the north-eastern Chinese province of Heilongjiang.
China has ordered the cessation of sales and use of the drug. Siberian Ginseng is often used to treat heart disease and improve blood circulation.
The injection form is relatively new in a badly regulated industry. The State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) has reported that the cases are isolated and have been traced to two contaminated batches of the extract.
Six people who received the treatment at the Number Four People's Hospital in Honghe prefecture on Sunday responded negatively. They experienced huge blood pressure dips, chills and vomiting. Some even slipped into coma.
Eventually, three of the six died on Monday.
The SFDA wants the public to report similar cases and adverse effects of the drug nationwide immediately. They've also sent inspectors into the region to investigate.
Sources:
BBC,
AFP
