The Department of Health (DH) today (February 28) endorsed a licensed wholesaler of proprietary Chinese medicine (pCm), Hong Kong Premier Concentrated Chinese Herbs Limited (Premier), to voluntarily recall a total of three batches of three types of compound Chinese medicine granules because the amount of the excipients in the related products did not match with the particulars of their registration records.  The products are suspected to be unregistered pCm.
 
     The details of the above three compound Chinese medicine granules are as follows:
 

Product name	Batch number	Registration number on label
[Hoi Tin Brand] Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan	HK180801	HKC-11427
[Hoi Tin Brand] Yin Chen Hao Tang	HK180401	HKC-11439
[Hoi Tin Brand] Shi Quan Da Bu Tang	HK180401	HKC-11479

     Acting upon intelligence, the DH immediately conducted investigation at Premier and seized related Chinese medicine granules. According to the information provided by Premier, the amount of excipients used in the production of the above Chinese medicine granules did not match with registered particulars and such change had not been approved by the Chinese Medicines Board under the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong (CMCHK), which might render the above products as unregistered pCm.
 
     Preliminary investigation revealed that the related batches of Chinese medicine granules were manufactured in the Mainland and imported by Premier for distribution to local Chinese medicine practitioners. Premier has been voluntarily recalling the above batches of products from the market and set up a hotline (2333 9012) for public enquiries.
 
     "Investigation are ongoing and the DH will closely monitor the recall. So far, no related adverse reports have been received and no evidence on safety issue of the related product was found," a spokesman for the DH said.

     According to section 119 of the Chinese Medicine Ordinance (Cap 549), no person shall sell, import or possess any pCm unless it is registered. The maximum penalty is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment. The DH will seek advice from the Department of Justice on prosecution matters upon completion of the investigation, and will refer the case to the CMCHK for consideration of possible disciplinary action.

     Members of the public who have consumed the above Chinese medicine granules and are feeling unwell should seek advice from healthcare professionals.

Ends/Thursday, February 28, 2019
Issued at HKT 20:00

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