Press Release

Undeclared western drug ingredients found in product

20 Dec 2011

The Department of Health (DH) today (December 20) urged people not to use a product named Jin Yu Tang Tai Han Kang Pai Pu Ling Jiao Nang which was found to contain undeclared western drug ingredients that may cause serious side effects.

The DH received a notification from the Hospital Authority that a patient has obtained the product claimed for use by people with high blood sugar through a relative outside Hong Kong. The patient was admitted to hospital because of hip pain on October 25, 2011.

Today, the Government Laboratory reported that the product contained metformin, rosiglitazone, glibenclamide and phenolphthalein.

Metformin, rosiglitazone and glibenclamide are western drug ingredients used for the management of diabetes and should be used under medical supervision. Their side effects include anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and lactic acidosis for metformin; headache, dizziness, and lower limb oedema (excessive accumulation of fluid) for rosiglitazone and nausea and gastro-intestinal upset for glibenclamide. Furthermore, rosiglitazone should not be used in those with a history of heart failure.

Phenolphthalein was once used for treating constipation but has been banned for its cancer-causing effect.

The spokesman said the product was not a registered pharmaceutical product nor a registered proprietary Chinese medicine in Hong Kong.

People taking this product should consult their healthcare providers immediately because the product may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level), which can be life threatening.

The spokesman warned, "Patients with diabetes should consult medical professionals for appropriate advice on medication and should never self-purchase any product claimed to treat diabetes. Use of products for managing medical conditions without the supervision of healthcare professionals may lead to serious consequences."