*************************************
The Department of Health (DH) today (January 18) instructed a licensed drug manufacturer, Vickmans Laboratories Ltd (Vickmans), to recall from shelf a batch (lot number: 110738) of Diurex tablets (registration number: HK-51628) in view of a quality defect report.
"The DH came to learn of the problem while investigating a public complaint about the detection of a plastic fragment embedded in a Diurex tablet," a DH spokesman said.
"So far, this appears to be an isolated event. There is no indication that other batches are affected and no report of a related adverse incident has been received."
Investigation to date shows that the batch of Diurex tablets was manufactured in Hong Kong last June. A total of 783 boxes of 500 tablets were supplied to various Hospital Authority hospitals, private doctors and pharmacies.
Diurex, containing frusemide, is a diuretic used for the management of hypertension. The drug is a prescription item and can only be sold under the supervision of a pharmacist on presentation of a doctor's prescription at a dispensary.
Vickmans has set up a phone hotline at 2726 0302 to answer enquiries from the public.
"Here, contravention of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132), selling a drug not of the nature, substance or quality demanded by the purchaser, might have occurred. The maximum penalty involved is $10,000 and three months' imprisonment. As investigation is still ongoing, the DH will seek advice from the Department of Justice on completion of our work on how to take the matter forward," the spokesman said.
"Meanwhile, members of the public who are taking the above medicine should check their tablets before use. If in doubt, they should consult their health-care providers," the spokesman advised.
Ends/Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:34
NNNN
