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The Department of Health (DH) today (March 5) instructed a licensed proprietary Chinese medicine wholesaler, Natural Healthcare Development Limited (Natural Healthcare), to recall its two proprietary Chinese medicines (pCm) ĦiArthro-AceĦj Paincare-S capsules(registration number: HKP-14933, Batch number: FS1003) and ĦiArthro-AceĦj Paincare-B capsules (registration number: HKP-14934, Batch number: FS1003) from consumers as they were found to contain a trace amount of undeclared paracetamol, a western drug, during the DH's market surveillance.
"Preliminary investigation showed that the two pCms were manufactured by the same manufacturer in the Mainland. Natural Healthcare only performed external packaging after import and released the products to the local market for sale. The wholesaler has set up a telephone hotline (2547 8823) to answer public enquiries," a DH spokesman explained.
Paracetamol has long been commonly used for its anti-pyretic and analgesic effects. Inappropriate use of paracetamol may cause liver and kidney damage.
According to the products' labels, both pCms are used for relieving joint pain. Investigation is ongoing. So far, no adverse reports related to use of the pCms have been received by the DH.
"On completion of investigation, the DH will seek advice from the Department of Justice regarding possible contravention of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), selling any drug not of the nature, substance or quality demanded by the purchaser. The maximum penalty involved here is $10,000 and three months' imprisonment. The DH will also refer this case to the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong for possible disciplinary action," the spokesman added.
"Members of the public who have used these pCms and are feeling unwell should seek advice from their health-care professionals. They should stop using them and surrender the pCms in hand to the DH's office at 16/F, AIA Kowloon Tower, Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon," the spokesman said.
Ends/Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Issued at HKT 20:29
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