Further recall of proprietary Chinese medicine with failed microbial limit
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     The Department of Health (DH) today (January 12) instructed a licensed proprietary Chinese medicine (pCm) manufacturer, Tai Wo Tung Medicine Company, to recall from consumers all batches of a registered pCm, [Tai Wo Tung] Cough Pills (registration number: HKP-03409), as the mould and yeast counts of the pCm exceeded the limits of the registration criteria set out by the Chinese Medicines Board of the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong (CMCHK). This is further to the batch recall of the pCm by Tai Wo Tung on January 2 for the same reason.

     Tai Wo Tung has also voluntarily recalled all its manufactured pCms from consumers (see Annex) as a precautionary measure.

     The action was called for after the DH's Public Health Laboratory Centre's result today revealed that two other batches (CP14100 and CP14101) of the pCm obtained from Tai Wo Tung during the DH's investigation on January 2 were found to contain mould and yeast counts of about 1.2 to 1.9 times the limits of the registration criteria.

     The pCm concerned was manufactured by Tai Wo Tung and is indicated for relieving cough. Investigation is ongoing.

     The DH has not received any report of related adverse events so far. Tai Wo Tung has set up a hotline (2896 7575) for public enquiries. The DH will closely monitor the recall.

     "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.

Ends/Monday, January 12, 2015
Issued at HKT 19:15

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