Japan supplement health problems spread as more than 1,100 seek care

TOKYO -- Japan is still working to get a clear picture of the scope of the health problems linked to supplements from Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, with hospitalizations rising steadily and more than 1,100 people reported to have sought medical attention.

As of Thursday, 196 people had been admitted to hospitals with ailments associated with the red yeast rice products, up around 70% from a week earlier. The number of people seeking medical attention more than doubled to 1,120, with outpatient visits or testing accounting for most of the total. Five deaths have been linked to the pills.