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The Department of Health (DH) today (November 8) urged members of the public not to buy or use a topical proprietary Chinese medicine (pCm) called "Loong Fung Trade Mark Singapore Chi Len Chun Fung Oil" (Registration number: HKP-01728), as it was found to contain a Western medicine, aspirin. The product is indicated for relieving joint pain.
The DH inspected the premises of the manufacturer, Chan Yat Hing Medicine FTY, a licensed pCm manufacturer, and demanded that all the batches of the product be recalled from the market.
The appeal and recall order followed detection of trace amount of aspirin (a Western drug ingredient) in the product by the Government Laboratory during the DH's market surveillance.
According to the manufacturer, about 10,200 bottles of the product were manufactured in 2009. About 2,500 bottles have been supplied to the local market, and 2,900 bottles have been exported to the United States (US). The remaining 4,800 bottles are still in the factory.
So far, no report has been received about consumers feeling unwell after using the product.
The DH will closely monitor the recall while continuing with the investigation. The DH has also informed drug regulatory authorities in the US about the incident.
The manufacturer has set up a hotline at 2395 2966 to answer enquiries about the recall.
Consumers may choose to submit the recalled products to DH's Chinese Medicines Section at 2/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon during office hours, or destroy them before disposal.
The spokesman reminded members of the public who possess the product to stop using it, and to seek advice from healthcare professionals if in doubt.
Ends/Monday, November 8, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:13
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