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Recall of proprietary Chinese medicine found to contain excessive lead
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     The Department of Health (DH) today (July 5) orders the manufacturer of a proprietary Chinese medicine, Chaisentomg Pharmaceutical Factory Limited, to recall from consumer a product [Chaisentomg] Chaisentomg Baby's Kam Chik San Powder (Registration no.: HKP-10828) as it has been found to contain excessive lead.     

     The action is called for after a surveillance sample from the above product (batch no.: 06404102200) obtained by DH pharmaceutical inspectors from the market is found by the Government Laboratory today to contain about 1.2 times the permitted limit of lead.
     
     The drug is known to be used in children and adults for improving appetite. A DH spokesman explained that prolonged exposure to excessive lead could cause anaemia and damage to human organs including joints, the brain and kidneys.  
    
     The DH has inspected the manufacturer immediately and no stock of the concerned product could be found. The manufacturer has ceased production of the product since end-2009. DH has instructed the company to recall all batches of the product from the market.  Investigation continues.

     Members of the public can call the manufacturer's hotline (8206 3327) for related enquiries.  DH will monitor the recall.     

     "Here, contravention of section 54 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap 132, Laws of Hong Kong, selling a drug intended for use by man but unfit for that purpose might have occurred. The maximum penalty involved is $50,000 and six months' imprisonment. On completion of the investigation, we will work with the Department of Justice regarding possible prosecution," the spokesman said.

     The spokesman urges those members of the public who have purchased the product to stop using it immediately and surrender the product to DH at 16/F, Two Landmark East, Kwun Tong, Kowloon.      

     For those who have used the product and feel unwell, they should seek advice from their healthcare providers as soon as possible.  So far, DH has not received any adverse report related to the product.

Ends/Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Issued at HKT 20:18

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