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The following is issued jointly by Department of Health and Customs and Excise Department:
Representatives of the Department of Health and the Customs and Excise Department met today (November 23) to discuss the latest situation regarding the voluntary recall of 10 lots of four types of contact lens solution manufactured by Advanced Medical Optics, Inc.
A telephone hotline 2125 1133 has been set up by the Department of Health to provide health advice to the public. Contact lens users using the concerned solutions with symptoms of infection or discomfort are also urged to call the hotline. It will be operated during office hours.
According to the information provided by the manufacturer, testing of the concerned solutions produced at its manufacturing plant on the Mainland indicated microbial contamination.
A Department of Health spokesman said the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) was liaising with local ophthalmologists, optometrists and Hospital Authority to be alert for suspicious cases of infection.
The Customs and Excise Department is monitoring the recall process of affected lots of concerned contact lens solutions and will enhance surveillance by taking samples of the solutions from the market for testing. To this end, the Department of Health's Public Health Laboratory will provide necessary technical support.
Meanwhile, 20 samples of the line of products produced in the affected manufacturing plant bought by the department from the local market are being tested for sterility. Results are expected to be available in three weeks.
The Department of Health appealed to contact lens users to stop using solutions of the affected lots. They should consult their doctors in case of discomfort or infection and may also call the manufacturer's hotlines at 2401 5811/2 with any queries.
Contact lens users are reminded to observe good hygiene in handling the lens, solutions and utensils to prevent contact lens associated infection. Details can be found in CHP's website (http://www.chp.gov.hk/).
Under the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance, it is an offence to supply, manufacture or import into Hong Kong consumer goods unless the goods comply with the general safety requirement for consumer goods.
The maximum penalty for the offence is a fine of $100,000 and an imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and $500,000 and two years' imprisonment on subsequent conviction.
For complaints regarding unsafe consumer goods, consumers can contact the Consumer Protection and Prosecution Bureau, Customs and Excise Department on the 11th floor, North Point Government Office, 333 Java Road, North Point or call the Customs hotline at 2545 6182.
Ends/Thursday, November 23, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:39
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