Press Release
Public urged not to take drug product with undeclared Western drug ingredients (with photo)
6 May 2009
The Department of Health (DH) today (May 6) urged members of the public not to buy or consume a product called "Neovidan" which was found to have contained undeclared Western drug ingredients that may cause serious side effects.
The appeal was made following the department's investigation into a case involving a 65-year-old man who presented with dizziness and diarrhoea after consuming the drug.
The product was found to have contained Western drug ingredients including prednisolone and mefenamic acid.
Prednisolone is a steroid. Taking prednisolone for a long time can cause side effects such as moon face (round face), high blood pressure, high blood sugar and peptic ulcer.
Mefenamic acid is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The known side effects include gastro-intestinal discomfort, nausea, stomach pain and bleeding.
Investigation by DH revealed that the man claimed he had bought the product in pharmacy shops for curing pain and gouty condition. However, DH was unable to verify the claim. The patient was admitted in Princess Margaret Hospital on April 19 and was discharged on April 27. He is now in stable condition.
In Hong Kong, products containing Western drug ingredients must be registered under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance before sale. The possession or sale of unregistered pharmaceutical product is an offence liable to the maximum penalties of a $100,000 fine and two years' imprisonment.
All these Western drug ingredients should only be used under medical supervision. They are classified as Third Schedule poisons under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance and can only be sold on a doctor's prescription and under supervision of a pharmacist.
People who have been using the product are advised to stop taking them immediately and seek advice from medical professionals if necessary.
They should dispose of the product or submit it to the department's Pharmaceutical Service at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon during office hours.
