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The Department of Health (DH) today (December 2) instructed TCM Universal Pharmaceuticals Factoryˇ]TCM Universalˇ^, the registration holder of a proprietary Chinese medicine (pCm) called [Golden Leaf] No. 1 Bashiwan (registration number: (HKP-13350)(Bashiwan), to recall from consumers one of its batches (batch number: TCM-P3412205) as it was found that TCM Universal has wrongly labelled another registered pCm as Bashiwan.
"Preliminary investigation by DH following a complaint related to Bashiwan showed that the samples of Bashiwan obtained at TCM Universal were tablets in yellow colour, which were different from black pills as in the registration record. Investigation also indicated that the yellow tablet should be another pCm named [Golden Leaf] Kangguzengsheng Pian (registration number: HKP-13596) (Kangguzengsheng Pian) which was also registered by TCM Universal. Both Bashiwan and Kangguzengsheng Pian were manufactured by the same Mainland manufacturer and imported by TCM Universal. TCM Universal then performed external packaging before releasing the products to local market for sale. Some Kangguzengsheng Pian might have been wrongly labelled as Bashiwan during external packaging. As a precautionary measure, TCM Universal has also voluntarily recalled all batches of Bashiwan from consumers," a DH spokesman explained.
According to the products' labels, Bashiwan is used for treatment of vitiligo while Kangguzengsheng Pian is used for joint inflammation. Preliminary risk assessment showed that consumption of Kangguzengsheng Pian in Bashiwan's dosage was unlikely to pose immediate health risk. TCM Universal has set up a hotline (2423 2198) for related enquiries. The DH will closely monitor the recall. The DH's investigation is ongoing," he said.
According to section 52 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132), selling any drug not of the nature, substance or quality demanded by the purchaser is liable to a maximum penalty of a fine of $10,000 and three months' imprisonment. Upon completion of the investigation, the DH will work with the Department of Justice on prosecution matters and will also refer this case to the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong to consider taking possible disciplinary action.
The DH urged the public to stop using the above mislabelled pCm immediately. Those who have used the pCm and feel unwell should seek advice from their health-care professionals as soon as possible. People who have purchased the mislabelled pCm should submit it to the DH's Chinese Medicine Division on 16/F, AIA Kowloon Tower, Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, during office hours for disposal.
Ends/Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Issued at HKT 20:53
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