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The Department of Health (DH) today (January 11) called on members of the public not to buy or use a proprietary Chinese medicine (pCm) called "Xiao Qin Long Wan"(小青龍丸), which contains Aristolochic Acid (AA), a harmful herbal ingredient prohibited in Hong Kong.
A DH spokesman said the department has instructed the wholesaler, Cheng Feng Medicine Company (正豐藥品公司), to recall the product from the market.
According to medical studies, prolonged consumption of AA is associated with kidney failure and cancer of the urinary tract. The importation and sale of Chinese herbs and products containing AA have been prohibited in Hong Kong since June 1, 2004.
DH started the investigation after the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) of the United Kingdom issued a warning of four Chinese medicine products (Xiao Qin Long Wan, Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao Wan, Bai Tou Weng Wan and Xie Gan Wan) found to contain AA.
It was revealed that "Xiao Qin Long Wan"(小青龍丸) was imported from the Mainland by a wholesaler and "Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao Wan"(川芎茶調丸) was made in Hong Kong while "Bai Tou Weng Wan"(白頭蓊丸) and "Xie Gan Wan"(瀉肝丸) have no record of registration and import records.
DH visited the wholesaler of "Xiao Qin Long Wan" and samples were collected for laboratory analysis. Today, results revealed the presence of AA in the product.
DH also visited the manufacturer of "Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao Wan" and could not find the product. According to the manufacturer, the product has not been manufactured for five years.
The spokesman said no report of adverse event related to the product was recorded by CHP.
"Nonetheless, people who have been using the product are advised to immediately stop taking ii," the spokesman said.
Anyone who is in possession of the product should dispose of them or submit them to the DH’s Pharmaceutical Service at the third floor, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon during office hours.
Members of public can call the wholesaler's hotline at 2898 7723 for matters related to recall.
DH will set up a telephone enquiry service at 2319 5119 to answer enquiries from 10am to 1pm tomorrow (January 12); and from 10am to 6pm from Monday to Friday.
Ends/Friday, January 11, 2008
Issued at HKT 20:46
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