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The Department of Health (DH) today (June 5) appealed to members of the public not to buy or consume an oral product named "San Xiao Ping Tang Jin Qi Jiao Nang", as it may contain undeclared and banned Western drug ingredients that might be dangerous to health.
The appeal followed the DH's receipt of notification of a case from the Hospital Authority (HA) involving a 76-year-old male patient. The DH commenced investigation immediately.
The patient attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Caritas Medical Centre for treatment on May 28 for dizziness. He was found to have liver impairment upon admission. He described a history of consumption of the above oral product and is currently in stable condition.
The HA's laboratory test result on the product sample showed the presence of a banned Western medicine, phenformin, and two other undeclared Western medicines, namely pioglitazone and glibenclamide. Preliminary investigation revealed that the product is not a registered proprietary Chinese medicine in Hong Kong and was purchased in the Mainland by the patient's friend. The DH's investigation is continuing.
"Phenformin, because of the possibility of causing fatal lactic acidosis, has already been banned in Hong Kong since 1985. Both pioglitazone and glibenclamide are Western drugs used for the management of diabetes mellitus and should be used under medical supervision. Side-effects include nausea and gastrointestinal upset. Improper use may lead to a fall in blood sugar level, which can also be fatal if the blood sugar level drops significantly," a DH spokesman explained.
"As the product may cause life-threatening hypoglycemia and lactic acidosis, members of the public who are in possession of the product should stop taking it immediately. People who have taken the product should consult their health-care providers as soon as possible. In addition, they are advised not to buy or consume products of unknown composition or from doubtful sources. They can submit the product to the Chinese Medicine Division of the DH at 16/F, AIA Kowloon Tower, Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, during office hours for disposal," the spokesman stressed.
"Patients with chronic illnesses like diabetes require holistic long-term management and ought to consult health-care professionals for appropriate advice. They are strongly urged not to self-medicate or use over-the-counter medication without professional supervision," the spokesman warned.
Ends/Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Issued at HKT 20:14
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