Press Release

Recall of Ternolol Tablet

25 Oct 2011

The Department of Health (DH) today (October 25) instructed licensed drug wholesaler Hovid Ltd to recall one batch of Ternolol Tablet 100mg (registration no. HK-41860; batch number AJ12560) from the shelf on quality ground as market surveillance by the DH found that the sample has failed the disintegration test.

The drug contains atenolol and is used for the treatment of hypertension. It can only be sold by prescription and under the supervision of pharmacists at registered pharmacies.

Ternolol Tablet 100mg, manufactured by Hovid Sdn Bhd (Malaysia), has been imported for sale to private doctors and pharmacies and exported to Macau.

Laboratory analysis found that the problem of Ternolol was limited to one single batch.

DH will investigate the matter further and monitor the recall.

"Although the above laboratory finding pointed to quality defects, there could be a therapeutic consequence," said a DH spokesman.

So far, DH has not received any adverse event report in connection with the product.

Hovid Ltd has set up a hotline 2343 0315 for public enquiries

The spokesman said: "Here, contravention of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132), selling drug not of the nature, substance or quality demanded by the purchaser, might have occurred. The maximum penalty involved is $10,000 and three months' imprisonment."

“While we will work with the Department of Justice on prosecution follow-up, medical practitioners and pharmacies must stop supplying the said product to clients.

“Members of the public who are taking the above medicine should not stop taking the drug but seek advice from healthcare professionals for alternative medicines immediately."