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The Department of Health (DH) today (January 2) instructed the registration holder of the proprietary Chinese medicine (pCm) [Tai Wo Tung] Cough Pills (registration number: HKP-03409), Tai Wo Tung Medicine Company, to recall from consumers one of its batches (batch number: CP14076), as the mould and yeast count of the pCm exceeded the limit of the registration criteria set out by the Chinese Medicines Board of the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong (CMCHK).
The recall followed the DH's market surveillance which revealed that the aforementioned batch of the pCm was found to have a mould and yeast count of 1 800 per gram, which was about 18 times the limit of the registration criteria, upon laboratory testing by the DH's Public Health Laboratory Centre.
"Preliminary investigation showed that the pCm concerned was manufactured by Tai Wo Tung and it is indicated for relieving cough. Tai Wo Tung has set up a hotline (2896 7575) for public enquiries.
"So far, no adverse reports related to the use of the pCm have been received by the DH. We will closely monitor the recall and samples were collected from relevant premises for further testing. Investigation is ongoing," a spokesman for the DH 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 $10,000 and three months' imprisonment. Upon completion of investigation, the DH will work with the Department of Justice for prosecution matters and will also refer this case to the CMCHK for possible disciplinary action," the spokesman said.
The spokesman urged members of the public who have taken the pCm and felt unwell to seek advice from health-care professionals. They should stop using it immediately and submit it to the DH's Chinese Medicine Division at 16/F, AIA Kowloon Tower, Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, during office hours for disposal.
Ends/Friday, January 2, 2015
Issued at HKT 19:41
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