New framework to use parks, therapeutic landscapes to boost well-being
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
9 hours ago
- CNA
Two TCM companies under investigation over skin cream containing potent steroid, antifungal
SINGAPORE: Two traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) companies are under investigation over a skin cream that has been found to contain potent medicinal ingredients which may lead to adverse effects, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said on Wednesday (Jul 23). Pi De Kang Dermatitis Cream, imported by Da Zhong Tang and supplied by Chinese Medical Centre, was found to contain the steroid clobetasol and an antifungal called miconazole. HSA has directed the two TCM companies to stop selling the cream and conduct a consumer recall of all product batches that were given to customers. The authority said it had tested the cream following feedback from a customer, and that both firms are being investigated for the import and supply of the adulterated product. It added that the recall is underway. Clobetasol propionate is a potent steroid that is usually prescribed for inflammatory skin conditions such as chronic eczema and psoriasis. It should only be used under strict medical supervision, said HSA. Long-term unsupervised use of steroid-containing creams can cause thinning of the skin, and sudden discontinuation after prolonged use may result in topical steroid withdrawal syndrome, which is characterised by burning, redness, itching, pain or skin peeling. Topical steroids may also cause adverse effects when applied to large areas of the skin or used over a prolonged period. These include high blood pressure, cataracts, muscular and bone disorders, an increased risk of infections and Cushing's syndrome, which is characterised by a round or "moon" face appearance, and upper body obesity with thin limbs. Children and infants are more susceptible to the effects of steroids and as such, may be at higher risk of steroid-associated adverse effects. Miconazole is used to treat fungal infections, and its inappropriate use could cause skin irritation, itching, skin rash and burning sensation of the skin. HSA advised consumers of Pi De Kang Dermatitis Cream to consult a doctor as soon as possible if they are using it, as any sudden stoppage of steroid-containing creams without medical supervision may worsen underlying skin conditions or cause topical steroid withdrawal symptoms. All sellers and suppliers must stop selling the cream immediately, the authority said. 'HSA will not hesitate to take stern enforcement actions against anyone who sells and supplies products found to be adulterated with potent ingredients,' it added.
CNA
10 hours ago
- CNA
Indonesian military's new pharma role sparks fears of expanded powers
JAKARTA: Indonesia's military will begin manufacturing medicines for public distribution under a new agreement, officials said on Tuesday (Jul 22), in the latest expansion of the armed forces' role in civilian affairs since President Prabowo Subianto took office. The president, a former defence minister and special forces commander, has expanded the powerful military's role in civic affairs since taking office last year - including running much of his flagship project to serve free school meals. In March, Indonesia's parliament - which is dominated by Prabowo's coalition - also passed a revision to military law that allows more civilian posts to be occupied by soldiers, sparking protests by student and activist groups. The moves have dismantled some of the safeguards put in place after authoritarian leader Suharto was overthrown in 1998 and raised fears of a return to an era when the armed forces were allowed to crush dissent and dominate public life. Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin late on Tuesday signed an agreement with the food and drug agency for laboratories operated by the army, navy, and air force, which previously supplied medicines for soldiers, to begin manufacturing drugs for public use. "We are thinking of ways to lower the price even more so we could provide free medicines," Sjafrie told reporters. Mass production will begin in October and the medicines will be distributed to villages across Indonesia at 50 per cent below the retail price, Sjafrie said. Military involvement is expected to curb the flow of illegal medicines and fight the "mafia" in the medical industry, said the drug agency's head Taruna Ikrar. But rights groups have said that the agreement was unlawful as it brought serving military officials into civilian business positions - prohibited under military law. "This is a symptom of how the government has shifted into authoritarianism," said Usman Hamid from Amnesty International Indonesia. The military and Prabowo's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The medicines will be distributed by 80,000 state-backed cooperatives launched by Prabowo on Monday, Sjafrie said. Prabowo's cooperatives were set up to boost economic activity and cut out middlemen by providing services directly to the general public including giving loans and selling medicines and staple foods. The defence minister has also signed another agreement with the health ministry to build hospitals staffed by military doctors and nurses in conflict areas, including Papua province, where a low-level insurgency has battled for independence for decades.
CNA
14 hours ago
- CNA
Singapore sees rise in measles cases but risk of large outbreaks is low: CDA
SINGAPORE: Singapore has reported a rise in the number of measles cases this year, with 14 infections as of the week ending Jul 12, compared with 11 cases in the whole of 2024 and eight cases in 2023. Among the 14 cases, five were infected locally. All five are adults - one had been fully vaccinated against measles, while the vaccination status of the other four is unknown, the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) said on Wednesday (Jul 23). The other nine people contracted measles overseas. "While the number of cases seen this year has increased compared to last year, it is lower compared to the pre-COVID years from 2015 to 2019, when the number of cases ranged from 25 to 93 during the same period," CDA said in response to CNA's queries amid a rise in cases globally. The United States in 2025 recorded its worst measles epidemic in more than 30 years. More than 1,200 cases have been confirmed since the beginning of the year in nearly 40 of the 50 US states, with Texas accounting for over 60 per cent of the outbreak, according to Johns Hopkins University. Canada, which officially eradicated measles in 1998, has registered more than 3,500 cases this year. In Southeast Asia, the Philippines reported more than 2,000 cases as of May 10, while Vietnam recorded more than 81,000 suspected cases as of May, according to UNICEF. LOW RISK OF OUTBREAKS IN SINGAPORE Singapore's CDA noted that the rise in cases globally is due to falling measles vaccination rates in some countries and regions. "Given Singapore's position as a major travel hub and the surge in measles cases globally and regionally, we can continue to expect sporadic cases and small clusters because measles is highly transmissible among non-immune individuals," the agency said. "The risk of large outbreaks in the community is low given Singapore's high vaccination coverage among local residents. Therefore, no additional border health measures will be implemented at this time." Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus spread through droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or simply breathes. It is a legally notifiable disease in Singapore, meaning all medical practitioners and laboratories are required to notify the Ministry of Health within 24 hours from the time of clinical suspicion or laboratory diagnosis. Singapore also mandates two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine for children starting at 12 months. CDA said vaccination remains the best way to protect against measles, with the vaccine effectiveness rate at about 97 per cent with two doses of the measles vaccine. 'While there may still be cases of vaccine breakthrough among vaccinated persons, this is rare,' it added. The agency advised older children and adults without evidence of measles immunity to get vaccinated, especially if they are planning to travel to countries experiencing outbreaks. "To prevent outbreaks and protect younger children who are yet to be vaccinated, we will continue to ensure that our population has high vaccination coverage, and we recommend the public to keep up to date with their vaccination," said CDA. People infected with measles are advised to self-isolate, wear a mask and avoid social interactions until they are no longer infectious. Travellers who become unwell should wear a mask, seek medical attention promptly and inform their doctor of their travel and any exposure to measles cases, the CDA added.
