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The Department of Health (DH) today (May 14) urged members of the public not to buy or take a proprietary Chinese medicine called "AA Qu Feng Shu Jin Wan" (宜利风舒筋丸) which was found to contain an undeclared western drug ingredient.
A DH spokesman said the product was a proprietary Chinese medicine with transitional registration under the Chinese Medicine Ordinance (Cap 549). As such, it should not contain any western drug ingredient.
He said a very low level of dexamethasone (commonly used for relief of allergies and inflammation) was found in the product and it is unlikely to pose adverse health effect. However, the ingredient was not declared and the product was not registered under Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance. Its overall safety, quality and efficacy were not proven.
To safeguard public health, the department had ordered the manufacturer named "M & A Natural Healthcare Products Company Limited" (宜利天然保健品有限公司) to recall the product from the market and to surrender them to the department.
As part of the investigation, DH staff conducted an operation at the manufacturer's premises this afternoon and seized about 30 bottles of the product. No report of adverse drug effect linked to the product has been received by the department so far.
The spokesman said Hospital Authority reported in April that a 84-year-old man was admitted to Yan Chai Hospital earlier for symptoms of low blood sugar level. The test result on the product was an incidental finding in the course of investigation. His symptoms were believed to be unrelated to the product and he had been discharged.
He explained that taking dexamethasone for a long time can cause side effects including moon face, central obesity, hypertension, high blood sugar and peptic ulcer. It is classified as Third Schedule poisons under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance and can only be sold on a doctor's prescription and under supervision of a pharmacist.
He reminded people who have purchased the product to stop using it immediately and seek medical advice if feeling unwell after taking it.
They are advised to dispose of the product or surrender it to the Pharmaceutical Service of DH at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon during office hours. They can also call the manufacturer's hotline at 2601 5715 for matters related to recall of the product.
The spokesman reminded people suffering from joint pains or rheumatism to consult healthcare professionals for professional advice or medications.
Ends/Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Issued at HKT 21:30
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