25 Nov 2010
In response to media and other enquiries on the status of propoxyphene-containing pharmaceutical products, a spokesman for the Department of Health (DH) said today (November 25) that the DH had been following the situations in overseas jurisdictions closely as part of its vigilance work. In fact, healthcare professionals and the public have already been alerted about the latest situation whilst pending discussion by the Registration Committee (RC) of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board at its upcoming meeting.
The spokesman explained that the latest development involved U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asking manufacturers to voluntarily withdraw all propoxyphene-containing products from the U.S. market as new clinical data showed that the drug could put patients at risk of potentially serious or even fatal heart rhythm abnormalities.
Earlier on last June, the European Medicines Agency banned propoxyphene-containing products across the European Union because of another concern, namely fatal overdose.
The spokesman remarked that DH's latest updates on the development of the matter had been posted up on the website of the Pharmaceutical Service on November 20, 2010 and also put out in a letter to healthcare professionals dated November 22, 2010.
In Hong Kong, propoxyphene is available as dextropropoxyphene for relieving pain and there are 22 registered products containing this active ingredient ( see Annex ). All dextropropoxyphene-containing products must only be sold at pharmacies under the supervision of pharmacists.
The spokesman advised members of the public who have been using the products to stop and to consult healthcare providers if they are in doubt or unwell whilst pending the RC's decision.