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Setia Herba Exposed: HSA Finds 2 Powerful Steroids, Painkiller

Singapore's Health Sciences Authority warns the public about Setia Herba, a supposedly natural health product sold online that actually contains powerful steroids and a dangerous painkiller.

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Daily.SG Newsroom
Archive · 2 Apr 2025
Setia Herba Exposed: HSA Finds 2 Powerful Steroids, Painkiller
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KEY POINTS

  • ●Setia Herba falsely claimed to be 100% authentic herbs and safe, but contained two powerful steroids (dexamethasone and prednisolone) and an anti-inflammatory painkiller (diclofenac).
  • ●Long-term steroid use can cause high blood pressure, cataracts, and increased blood sugar; diclofenac can trigger gastric bleeding and cardiovascular events.
  • ●People who have used the product must not stop suddenly due to risk of severe withdrawal symptoms and should consult a doctor immediately.
  • ●Sellers caught distributing the product face up to 2 years imprisonment and fines up to S$10,000.
  • ●The authority has removed all online listings and urges consumers to buy health products only from trusted pharmacies and to avoid products making miracle claims.

IN SIMPLE TERMS

A health product called Setia Herba was being sold online claiming to be made of herbs and safe, but testing found it contained strong steroids and a painkiller that can cause serious harm. The authorities removed it from sale and are warning anyone who used it to see a doctor.

WHY IT MATTERS

Consumers buying health products online face serious safety risks from adulterated products masquerading as natural remedies.
Hidden powerful drugs in unregulated products can cause life-threatening conditions like heart attacks, stroke, and gastric bleeding without medical oversight.
People who have already used the product need urgent medical advice to avoid dangerous withdrawal effects from abruptly stopping steroid intake.
Enforcement action and penalties underscore the legal consequences for sellers of dangerous health products and the need for stricter online marketplace oversight.

WHERE DO YOU STAND?

Should Singapore impose stricter regulations on the sale of health products through online platforms to prevent dangerous counterfeits reaching consumers?

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The Full Story
  1. Health Sciences Authority warns public about “Setia Herba” product.
  2. Product contains powerful steroids and anti-inflammatory painkiller.
  3. Consumers advised to seek medical help immediately if used it.

Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority uncovers dangerous ingredients in a supposedly natural health product, prompting urgent warnings to consumers.

HSA Alert on Setia Herba

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has issued a urgent warning to the public about a product called Setia Herba.

The product was being sold online through popular e-commerce platforms in Singapore.

HSA has taken swift action to remove all listings of it from these platforms.

Product Details and Claims

Image Source HSA - Setia Herba
Image Source: HSA – Setia Herba

The product label of Setia Herba made several misleading claims.

It stated that the product contained “100% authentic herbs”.

The label also claimed the product was “safe to eat”.

Setia Herba was marketed as a “traditional health product solution”.

It claimed to relieve various medical conditions, including joint pain and gout.

To add credibility, the product was marketed with a “laboratory test certificate”.

Harmful Ingredients and Effects

Contrary to its claims, HSA tests revealed that this product contained dangerous ingredients.

The product was found to contain:

  • Two powerful steroids (dexamethasone and prednisolone)
  • An anti-inflammatory painkiller (diclofenac)

These ingredients can cause serious health problems when used without proper medical supervision.

Long-term steroid use can lead to increased blood sugar, high blood pressure, cataracts, and other health issues.

Diclofenac can cause serious gastric bleeding and cardiovascular events like heart attacks and stroke.

Advisory to Consumers

HSA has issued clear guidelines for consumers who may have purchased or used Setia Herba.

“Do not stop taking it suddenly as it contains steroids and may cause severe withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, confusion, and low blood pressure, especially when it has been taken for more than a few weeks.”

Consumers are advised to see a doctor if they have used this product.

The public is reminded to be cautious when buying health products, especially from unknown sources online.

It’s always safer to purchase health products from trusted pharmacies or retailers.

Consumers should be wary of products that claim to have miraculous results or “no side effects”.

Advisory to Sellers and Suppliers

Health Sciences Authority has also issued a stern warning to sellers and suppliers of Setia Herba.

All sellers are instructed to stop selling the product immediately.

The authority has made it clear that it will take action against those found selling adulterated products.

Sellers and suppliers caught may face serious consequences, including:

  • Imprisonment for up to 2 years
  • A fine of up to S$10,000

This case highlights the importance of consumer safety in health products.

It also underscores the need for vigilance when purchasing health products, especially those making extraordinary claims.

Do you think stricter regulations are needed for online sales of health products in Singapore?

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