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The Department of Health (DH) today (January 7) urged members of the public not to buy or take several brands of proprietary Chinese medicines called Bak Foong Pill after laboratory tests revealed that the lead content of the products concerned exceeded maximum permitted limit.
The products in question are sold in the market under the brand names of Wintex Tong, Chung San Brand, Fung Sen Brand, Golden Ship Brand, Tin Fung Brand, Green Leaf Brand and Po Ling Brand of production batch numbers 040607 and 050607.
A DH spokesman said lead toxicity leads to anaemia, kidney failure, adverse effects on the nervous system, digestive system and circulatory system or even death.
He said the manufacturer, Hong Kong Medicine Manufactory, has been instructed to immediately recall these products 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.
The spokesman said DH investigated into the proprietary Chinese medicine following a referral from Macau Government.
Members of the public can call the manufacturer's hotline at 2421 6382 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/Saturday, January 7, 2006
Issued at HKT 14:20
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