Singapore man’s Covid-19 death may be linked to possible allergic reaction to TCM pills: coroner’s court
- Mr Koh Choon Lim died on July 29, 2022, two days after taking four capsules of Lianhua Qingwen Jiaonang
- Singapore’s health authority approved some Lianhua Qingwen products for the relief of cold and flu symptoms, but not to treat or alleviate symptoms of Covid-19
Mr Koh Choon Lim, a Singaporean, died in Tan Tock Seng Hospital on July 29, 2022, two days after taking four capsules of Lianhua Qingwen Jiaonang.
The TCM pills were suspected to have triggered the allergic reaction, but in an inquiry into Mr Koh’s death on Wednesday, the investigating officer told the court the link could not be confirmed in a postmortem setting.
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) had said in an advisory in November 2021 that it had approved some Lianhua Qingwen products for the relief of cold and flu symptoms, but that they were not approved to treat or alleviate symptoms of Covid-19.
In another advisory in December 2021, HSA said Lianhua Qingwen Jiaonang was found to contain potent ingredients ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which are used to treat low blood pressure and could lead to side effects like irregular heart rate, vomiting and dizziness.
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What happened
In the opening of Wednesday’s inquiry, the court heard that Mr Koh felt unwell and giddy on July 18, 2022.