Japan - March 30, 2024

As of Wednesday, the deaths suspected related to Japanese drugmaker Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's dietary supplements containing red yeast rice rose to 100, said the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on Thursday.

The authority revealed earlier that puberulic acid and some other "unexpected compounds" were detected in the raw material of red yeast rice produced by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical.

The scandal-hit company previously confirmed in March that five people had died after taking the supplements and recalled the products. After that, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical did not proactively report any new death cases associated with its products.

It was not until last month, when the country's health ministry inquired about any additional death cases, that the company reported 76 new deaths on June 28. This number has continued to climb since, according to Japanese media.

The Japanese Health Ministry has already determined that the presence of puberulic acid, a natural compound derived from blue mold, in the supplement is linked to the consumers' kidney damage. The specific source of the contamination remains under investigation.

SHOTLIST:
Tokyo, Japan - March 23, 2024
1. Various of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical sign;

Osaka, Japan - March 30, 2024
2. Various of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical sign on factory gate;
3. Safety alert sign on factory building;

Osaka, Japan - March 8, 2016
4. Building of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical;
5. Sign showing Kobayashi Pharmaceutical company floors;

Tokyo, Japan - March 29, 2024
6. Resident walking into pharmacy;
7. Sign showing "Digestive Medicine";
8. Various of recall notice of health supplement made by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical;

Tokyo, Japan - March 26, 2024
9. Various of drug store interior, shoppers;

Tokyo, Japan - Date Unknown
10. Various of pedestrians.

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