Recall of four Welfore sennosides drugs (with photo)
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     The Department of Health (DH) today (June 28) instructed a licensed drug wholesaler, Welfore Co Ltd, to recall four of its sennosides drugs from shelves as market surveillance conducted by DH pharmaceutical inspectors found that a sample failed the disintegration test.

     The four drugs, Welfore Senna Forte Tab 17mg (registration no. HK-60017), Wel Health Strong Senna Tab 17mg (registration no. HK-60018), Legend Senna Extra Tab 17mg (registration no. HK-60019) and Senno Forte Tab 17mg (registration no. HK-60020), are actually one and the same pharmaceutical product, manufactured in the United States and imported into Hong Kong for sale over the counter for the relief of constipation. According to the product specifications, the drugs should disintegrate within 30 minutes.

     Investigation revealed that since the products were registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, only one shipment has been shipped to Hong Kong.

     So far, DH has not received any adverse reports in connection with the drug.

     Welfore has set up a hotline on 2605 6881 to answer related enquiries.

     "Here, contravention of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132), selling a drug not of the nature, substance or quality demanded by the purchaser, might have occurred. The maximum penalty involved is $10,000 and three months' imprisonment," a DH spokesman remarked.

     "While we will be working with the Department of Justice on prosecution follow-up measures, retailers must stop supplying the said products to clients.

     "Members of the public who have the products in hand should cease using them and seek advice from healthcare professionals if they feel unwell or are in doubt," the spokesman said.

Ends/Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Issued at HKT 20:08

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