Public urged not to consume proprietary Chinese medicine with western drug ingredient

28 Jan 2010

The Department of Health (DH) today (January 28) called on members of the public not to buy or use a proprietary Chinese medicine named "Ba Bao Xiao Ke Dan", because it was found to contain an undeclared western medicine, glibenclamide, which may cause serious side effects.

The appeal was made following an investigation by the department on a report from the Hospital Authority concerning a person feeling unwell after consuming such product.

An 84-year-old man was found unconscious owing to low blood sugar on January 20 and was admitted to Caritas Medical Centre. He was discharged after medical treatment.

Laboratory result confirmed that glibenclamide was present in the samples. DH conducted investigation to the premises.

Glibenclamide is a sugar-lowering drug used for treatment of diabetes. Improper use of glibenclamide may cause a significant fall in blood sugar level with serious health consequence or even death, the spokesman said.

Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, products containing glibenclamide must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board before sale and can only be sold on a doctor's prescription and under supervision of a pharmacist.

Sale of unregistered pharmaceutical product is an offence liable to the maximum penalties of a $100,000 fine and two years' imprisonment.

The manufacturer, Pang Sau Tong (Hong Kong) Company Limited, has been instructed to immediately recall the product from the market.

The DH will monitor the recall.

Those using the product are advised to consult their doctors on stopping the use of the product. They should dispose of or return it to the manufacturer.

The manufacturer has set up a hotline 2688 6365 and 5399 1500 to answer enquiries.

Members of the public can also call the department's hotline 2209 9446 which operates Monday to Friday, from 9am until 5pm.