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The Department of Health (DH) today (March 17) urged people not to buy or use a product called "Zhong Guo Shen Fang" because it was found to contain an undeclared ingredient that may cause serious side effects.
A DH spokesman said the department had ordered the distributor to recall the product. Retailers were also instructed to remove the product from shelves.
He said a sample of the product was obtained for laboratory testing by the department during market surveillance. Test results available today showed the presence of hydroxyacetildenafil, an analogue of sildenafil, in the product.
As reported by the US Food and Drug Administration, analogues of sildenafil may pose a threat to consumers because the analogues may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin) and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels.
People who have the product should stop using it immediately. They should seek advice from health professionals if they feel unwell after using it.
They should submit it to the department's Pharmaceutical Service at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon, during office hours, destroy it before disposal or return it to the distributor.
A telephone hotline 9475 8661 has been set up by the distributor to answer public enquiries.
The spokesman urged people who had a problem of sexual dysfunction to consult healthcare professionals for appropriate advice if necessary.
Ends/Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:11
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