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The Department of Health (DH) today (June 5) appealed to members of the public not to buy or use an injectable product named Human Albumin 25% Zinvie as it was suspected to be an unregistered pharmaceutical product.
The appeal followed the DH's receipt of notification from the Hospital Authority (HA) of a 20-year-old female patient who developed septic shock after receiving an injection of a product named Human Albumin 25% Zinvie, allegedly purchased from a retail shop in Tai Po. The DH commenced investigation immediately.
The patient attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital for treatment yesterday (June 4) for chills, rigors, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. She was diagnosed as septic shock upon admission. Her family described a history of consumption of the above product by the patient. She is currently admitted to the Intensive Care Unit for further treatment and is in stable condition.
The Human Albumin 25% Zinvie was labeled as containing albumin, but Hong Kong pharmaceutical product registration number was not found on the product label. Pharmaceutical products containing albumin are prescription medicine and are used in conditions such as burns and severe acute albumin loss. They should only be used under medical advice and sold at pharmacies under the supervision of a registered pharmacist upon a doctor's prescription.
The DH's investigation is continuing.
A DH spokesman strongly urged members of the public not to buy or use unregistered pharmaceutical products as they have not been evaluated by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong and their safety, quality and efficacy may not be guaranteed. All registered pharmaceutical products should carry a Hong Kong registration number on the package in the format of "HK-XXXXX".
The spokesman urged people who have purchased the above product to stop using them immediately and consult health-care professionals if they are in doubt or feeling unwell. They should submit them to the Drug Office of the DH at Room 1856, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for follow-up.
Ends/Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Issued at HKT 23:09
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