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The Department of Health (DH) today (June 18) appealed to members of the public not to buy or consume an oral product labelled as "Wei C Yin Qiao Pian", 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 from the Hospital Authority (HA) of a case involving a 41-year-old female patient. The DH commenced investigation immediately.
The patient was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital in October last year because of rhabdomyolysis and hypokalemia. During follow-up consultations, her blood potassium level was found to be low. In the most recent follow-up in June, she informed the doctor that she had consumed the above oral product. A drug-related adverse effect was hence suspected clinically.
Today, the HA's laboratory test results on the product sample showed the presence of two undeclared and banned Western medicines, phenacetin and aminophenazone. However, the ingredients listed on the bottle, including vitamin C, paracetamol and chlorpheniramine maleate, were not detected. Preliminary investigation revealed that the product was purchased by the patient from the Mainland. The DH has no record of this product having been imported into Hong Kong for sale, or having been submitted for registration. The DH's investigation is continuing.
"Phenacetin and aminophenazone were used previously as painkillers but were banned in Hong Kong in 1983 and 1984 respectively due to their severe side effects. Phenacetin may cause haemolytic anaemia, methaemoglobinaemia and sulfhaemoglobinaemia while aminophenazone may lead to agranulocytosis," a DH spokesman explained.
The spokesman urged members of the public who have purchased the above product to stop using it immediately. In addition, they are advised not to buy or consume products of unknown composition or from doubtful sources. People who are feeling unwell or in doubt after using the product should consult health-care professionals. They can submit the product 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/Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:44
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