Japan Raids Drug Factory After 5 Deaths Linked to Contaminated Cholesterol Supplement

Japanese authorities raided a drug factory after 5 deaths and 114 hospitalizations were linked to a health supplement containing benikoji (a red mold)
The supplement is a pink pill called Benikoji Choleste Help, sold by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical to lower cholesterol
Kobayashi recalled the pills 2 months after receiving reports of health issues in 2023
Over 1 million packages of the pill were sold over the last 3 years, including to other manufacturers
Japan's Health Ministry warned the number affected could grow beyond the 5 deaths and 114 hospitalizations already linked to the supplements