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The Department of Health (DH) yesterday (June 6) through a press release appealed to members of the public not to buy or use a product named GS Dr. Joints (Chinese name: 坐骨神經痛丸) as it was found to have contained controlled drug ingredients. The DH today (June 7) clarified that the product photo issued together with the release yesterday was in fact not the product in question.
"The product in question is labelled as '坐骨神經痛丸', without an English name. In addition, the product label carries the wording '特效', thereafter known as '特效坐骨神經痛丸'," a DH spokesman clarified.
The DH offered an apology to the public for any confusion caused and has also immediately notified the local distributor of the affected product, GS Dr. Joints (Chinese name: 坐骨神經痛丸), of the issue. The DH was informed that the product was no longer marketed in Hong Kong since May this year.
"The Drug Office will be more cautious in future and hopes to better work for the community in areas of public health and drug safety," the spokesman said.
During the DH's market surveillance, a sample of "特效坐骨神經痛丸" was collected for analysis. Test results from the Government Laboratory showed that the product contains undeclared controlled drug ingredients, namely ibuprofen and diclofenac. The product is not a registered pharmaceutical product in Hong Kong.
Ibuprofen and diclofenac are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used to relieve pain and inflammation. Their known side-effects include gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, peptic ulcers and renal impairment.
A DH spokesman strongly urged members of the public not to buy or use products of doubtful composition or from unknown sources. All registered pharmaceutical products should carry a Hong Kong registration number on the package in the format of "HK-XXXXX". Unregistered pharmaceutical products have not been evaluated by the Board and their safety, quality and efficacy could not be guaranteed.
The spokesman urged people who have purchased the above product to stop using it immediately and consult health-care professionals if they are in doubt or feeling unwell. They should submit it to the Drug Office of the DH at Room 1856, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for disposal.
Ends/Friday, June 7, 2013
Issued at HKT 22:42
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