****************************************
The Department of Health (DH) today (November 25) urged members of the public not to take a proprietary Chinese medicine called White Peony Scar-repairing pill (¥Õ¨d¤¦Òç¬Í¤Y) of production batch number 05071.
The above batch of product was found, upon analysis, to contain 29 microgram of lead per gram. The recommended dosage of the product is 10 grams (one bottle) per day, which contains 290 micrograms of lead. The maximum permitted limit of lead in proprietary Chinese medicine is 179 micrograms per day. The lead content of this batch of product exceeded the maximum permitted limit.
Lead toxicity leads to anaemia, kidney failure, adverse effects on the nervous system, digestive system and circulatory system or even death.
DH investigated into the proprietary Chinese medicine following a report of suspected adverse reaction after taking the product. The lead content of the sample (Production Batch No. 05071) taken by DH during the investigation was found to exceed the maximum permitted limit. Investigation in the hospital revealed that the symptoms of the patient were not related to lead poisoning.
A DH spokesman said the manufacturer White Peony Pharmaceuticals Limited has been instructed to immediately recall the batch of product from the market and to surrender them to DH.
"Members of the public who have purchased the batch of product are advised to stop using them, 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," the spokesman said.
Members of the public can call the manufacturer's hotline at 2690 2389 for matters related to recall of the product.
DH has also set up a telephone enquiry service at 2319 5119 for members of the public during office hours.
Ends/Friday, November 25, 2005
Issued at HKT 20:38
NNNN
