16 Aug 2011
The Department of Health (DH) appeals to members of the public not to consume a fake proprietary Chinese medicine (pCm) likely to have been bought directly from a licensed pCm wholesaler, Bio-Tech Chinese Medicine Laboratory Ltd (Bio-Tech), as it may contain potent undeclared western drugs.
The appeal is made as DH investigates into a Hospital Authority referral of a 60 year-old Chinese gentleman who developed hypoglycaemia after consumption of an oral product. Two undeclared western drugs, both with blood sugar lowering effect, namely glibenclamide and phenformin, are found in the said product. The patient made uneventful recovery after one day and thus far, DH has received no other related notification.
"Glibenclamide is a Part I poison and a prescription medicine. Phenformin was once an anti-diabetic drug as well. However, it is banned since April 1985 because of its unacceptably high incidence of association with the fatal condition, lactic acidosis," a DH spokesman states.
"The culprit oral product is called "Pancre-Plus" which bears a name, a registration number, and a manufacturer identical to those of a registered proprietary Chinese medicine (HKP-07138), though there are packaging distinctions in capsule weight and indications," the spokesman reveals.
DH made site inspection to the licensed manufacturer involved, Double Happy (H.K.) Chinese Medicine Factory Limited (Double Happy). It was apparent that the latter shared a premises with another licensed pCm wholesaler, Bio-tech.
"Our inspectors note from Double Happy's sales record that it had ceased production of the registered Pancre-Plus for at least two years," the spokesman elaborates.
"However, stock of 20 packs of "Pancre-Plus" which appears identical to that of the patient's is found and seized. Package information somewhat different from that of the registered "Pancre-Plus" claims that the seemingly falsified product is for enhancing blood circulation, nourishing and protecting the health of the liver and also stabilizing blood glucose level. The Government Laboratory confirms the detection of phenformin and glibenclamide in the seized sample," the spokesman continues.
"Bio-tech admits to our inspectors that the falsified "Pancre-Plus" was brought from the Mainland for direct sale in Hong Kong," the spokesman comments.
To control the matter, DH has instructed Bio-tech to recall the "Pancre-Plus" from consumers while referring up-stream tracing to its Mainland counterpart. Bio-tech has set up a phone hotline at 2770 3770 for related enquiries.
"Here, contravention of the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap.138) because of suspected illegal sale of Part I poisons and unregistered pharmaceutical product might have occurred. The maximum penalty involved is $100,000 and 2 years' imprisonment. Moreover, as the fake product is likely a counterfeit, we will refer for Customs and Excise Department's expert management," the spokesman remarks.
"Members of the public who have the adulterated product in hand must cease using it and surrender it to DH at 16/F, Two Landmark East, Kwun Tong, Kowloon. In connection, whenever unsure or feel unwell after having consumed the product, consumers should seek advice from their healthcare professionals," the spokesman urges ."