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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
In response to media enquiries about an anti-depressant Amitriptyline, the spokesman for the Hospital Authority (HA) gave the following reply:
The HA was earlier informed by the Department of Health (DH) that the supplier of an anti-depressant Amitriptyline Tablets 10mg (Batch No.AA573) and Amitriptyline Tablets 25mg (Batch No.AB725), Unipharm Trading Company, was found packaging the drug without a manufacturing license. HA immediately suspended the supply of the concerned drug to patients and will decide on further follow up action pending the test outcome of DH.
As suggested by DH, there is no need for patients to stop taking the concerned drug immediately. Drug replacement would not be arranged by HA.
This afternoon, HA also received a notice from Unipharm Trading Company that they will recall the concerned drugs being stockpiled at hospital pharmacies. On the other hand, HA reassured that there would be adequate stock of similar drugs to meet patients' need and to ensure patient services not affected.
Ends/Thursday, March 19, 2009
Issued at HKT 20:51
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