Two short safety news reports are included here for your information.

● The Problematic “Walnut” That Singapore Has Been Trying to Crack….
Since the surfacing of the adulterated sexual enhancement product called Power 1 Walnut; in early February 2008, the case proved to be a tough nut to crack and contain. According to HSA advisories, 2 deaths have been directly attributed to the consumption of the product; 35 cases were established to have  direct causality with the victims now lying seriously ill; and some 70 cases were suspected with serious adverse events.
The HSA have been relentless in issuing public advisories and warning the public from buying and taking such illegally obtained products. From the 8 press releases issued by HSA throughout 2008, 7 of such releases have been focusing on cautioning and advising the public from not taking Power 1 Walnut and other related drugs which have been circulated through illegal channels, making it a tough “nut” to crack for our Singapore regulators and enforcement officers. For the latest press release by HSA, please follow the link HERE.

● Suicidal Thoughts Due to Anti-smoking Drug -  Varenicline
 
The new anti-smoking pill, varenicline (Chanitx by Pfizer), has been saddled with more suspected adverse drug reactions.  Half of adverse drug responses were psychiatric, including seven people who became suicidal while on the drug according to a report from Canadian authority.

In Issue 32 of our eBulletin, we reported US FDA’s caution about the safety concerns of the drug. Now, Health Canada also reported that in the first eight months after Pfizer began marketing its smoking cessation drug, they received 107 reports of adverse drug reactions suspected of being associated with varenicline. Of these, 46 involved psychiatric reactions including aggression, depression and suicidal ideation. Others involved amnesia, abnormal dreams, anxiety, insomnia, and abnormal thinking.

The drug's prescribing information was recently updated to reflect post-market reports of mood and behaviour changes, including suicide. Health Canada would review the drug’s safety profile and take appropriate action if necessary. Unlike the US FDA, a public advisory has not been issued to Canadian public yet as the reports were not strong enough as scientific evidence to  implicate a causal relationship between the drug to the psychiatric responses.

Adapted from: http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=bd881df2-60c1-4ace-a2fb-0aeedfe55916

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