Press Release

Recall of unregistered oral rehydration salts (with photo)

6 May 2009

Zuellig Pharma Ltd, a licensed drug wholesaler, has today (May 6) started recalling an unregistered pharmaceutical product, namely Milupa GES 45 Oral Rehydration Salts Sachet.

The product was manufactured in Germany and was sold in two pack sizes, 400 sachets and eight sachets.

A spokesman for Department of Health said the company initiated a recall of the product as it was found to be unregistered pharmaceutical product.

Oral rehydration salts labeled for use as water and electrolyte replacement in diarrhoea are pharmaceutical products under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance and must be registered before sale.

Based on the available information, there is no immediate safety concern with the consumption of the product.

However, doctors and pharmacists are reminded to stop supplying it to their clients as the product is an unregistered pharmaceutical product in Hong Kong.

The spokesman said the product had been supplied to public and private hospitals, private doctors, pharmacies, and medicine shops.

DH has informed doctors and pharmacists about the recall.

Zuellig has set up a hotline (2579 9268) for enquiries.

DH will closely monitor the recall.

The spokesman said that the sale of unregistered pharmaceutical product was an offence under the Pharmacy and Poison Ordinance. Upon conviction, the maximum penalty is a fine of HK$100,000 and 2 years' imprisonment.