TOKYO, Japan — A Japanese drugmaker whose dietary supplements are at the center of a growing health scare reported on Thursday two more deaths potentially related to its tablets.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in parliament that "after the cause is identified, the government will examine what measures are necessary to prevent similar incidents". Medical studies describe red yeast rice as an alternative to statins for lowering high cholesterol, but also warn of a risk of organ damage depending on its chemical make-up.
"We are in the process of confirming the facts and causal relationships in both of these cases," the statement said.The government has ordered several health-food makers to review their products, while informing foreign countries about the issue through Japan's embassies, chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said.
But it said it did not find any citrinin produced by red yeast rice, which is toxic and can damage the kidneys.