DH urges public not to buy or use cream product with undeclared controlled ingredients (with photo)

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     The Department of Health (DH) today (April 7) appealed to the public not to buy or use a cream product called LANG DU as it was found to contain undeclared controlled ingredients.

     Acting upon a public complaint, the DH purchased a sample of the above product for analysis. The test results from the Government Laboratory revealed that the sample contained two Part 1 poisons, namely clobetasol propionate and ketoconazole. The DH's investigation is continuing.

     Clobetasol propionate is a steroid substance for treating inflammation and inappropriate or excessive application of steroids could cause skin problems and body-wide side effects like moon face, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, muscle atrophy, adrenal insufficiency and osteoporosis. Products containing clobetasol propionate should be used under a doctor's directions and be supplied in a pharmacy under supervision of a registered pharmacist upon a doctor's prescription. Ketoconazole is used for the treatment of fungal infection with side effects such as local irritation and sensitivity reactions.

     According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap 138), all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be legally sold in the market. Illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products and Part 1 poisons are criminal offences. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.

     "The public should not 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'. Safety, quality and efficacy of unregistered pharmaceutical products are not guaranteed. Those who have purchased the above product should stop using it and consult healthcare professionals if in doubt or feeling unwell," a DH spokesman said.

     They can submit the product to the DH's Drug Office in Room 1856, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for disposal.

Ends/Friday, April 7, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:25

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The Department of Health today (April 7) appealed to the public not to buy or use a cream product called LANG DU as it was found to contain undeclared controlled ingredients.