***********************************
The Department of Health (DH) today (November 30) instructed a licensed Chinese medicines manufacturer and wholesaler, Chuan Chiong Co Ltd, to recall from shelf a batch of proprietary Chinese medicine (pCm), named [Tong Ren Tang & Chuan Chiong] Qing Yin Wan (Registration no: HKP-04428) with batch number 1010098, in view of a quality defect identified by DH through follow-up on a public complaint.
"Following the investigation of a user's complaint, DH confirmed the finding of inconsistent product information in a batch of the above pCm. One box of Qing Yin Wan contains 12 pills enclosed respectively in inner-boxes. It was found that the batch number and the expiry date printed on the outer-box are inconsistent with information that was printed on the inner-box containing each pill, and the products may already have expired," a DH spokesman revealed.
"Qing Yin Wan is manufactured in the Mainland for relieving heat and quenching thirst. Initial investigation revealed that Chuan Chiong Co Ltd was responsible for secondary packaging of the said product. During repackaging process of the affected batch, pills with manufacturing date and batch number specified as August 8, 2006 and 6010244 respectively on the inner-boxes have been accidentally packed into the outer-box printed respectively with expiry date of January 2016 and batch number 1010098. As the product insert indicates that the pCm has a shelf-life of five years, we believe the pCm is already expired if counted from the specified manufacturing date. The affected batch contains more than 7,800 boxes and were supplied to various retailers," the spokesman elaborated.
"Currently, no other batches were found affected. Nonetheless investigation is still ongoing," the spokesman remarked.
Chuan Chiong Co Ltd has set up a hotline 2541 3717 for public enquiries and recall arrangement.
"So far DH has not received any report of adverse incidents in connection. Contravention of Section 52(1) of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance Cap. 132, selling any drug not of the nature, substance or quality demanded by the purchaser, might have occurred here. The maximum penalty involved is $10,000 and three months' imprisonment. We will work with the Department of Justice for prosecution consideration on completion of our investigation," the spokesman stated.
"Members of the public should not consume expired medicine as the ingredient can deteriorate and do not work or can be harmful. People who have used the product, if feeling unwell should seek advice from their healthcare professionals," the spokesman advised.
Ends/Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Issued at HKT 20:52
NNNN