Deaths linked to Japanese supplement suddenly rise to 80

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical in March had reported five deaths potentially linked to its CholesteHelp rice and red-yeast pills. - Photo: AFP file

TOKYO: A Japanese pharmaceutical company is investigating 80 deaths possibly linked to a yeast-containing supplement it sells in Japan, the country’s health ministry said on Friday (June 28), in a shocking increase from an earlier revelation that is focusing attention on how supplements are regulated.

The company, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, in March had reported five deaths potentially linked to its CholesteHelp rice and red-yeast pills.