TOKYO, May 11 (NNN-NHK) – Japanese drug-maker, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, yesterday withdrew its consolidated earnings forecasts, for the business year to Dec, 2024, Jiji Press reported.
The drugmaker cited difficulties in assessing the impact of a scandal, following reports of deaths and hospitalisations possibly linked to its dietary supplements, containing red yeast rice, or beni-koji, the report said.
For the Jan-Mar quarter, the Osaka-based company booked an extraordinary loss of about 3.86 billion yen, related to the beni-koji scandal, including costs for the recall of the affected products and for the impairment of manufacturing equipment, it added.
On Apr 25, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical pledged to cover medical expenses and transportation costs of those who purchased and consumed its dietary supplements, made with beni-koji red yeast, from Jul, 2023 onwards and diagnosed with kidney-related diseases or other symptoms.
As of Apr 24, the dietary supplements have been linked to at least five deaths, while 257 hospitalisations have been reported, local media said.– NNN-NHK
