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Press Release

Total recall of processed Radix Aconiti Lateralis

28 Apr 2012

The Department of Health (DH) today (April 28) instructs a licensed Chinese herbal medicines wholesaler and retailer (CW & CR), Hip Wo Medicine Company Limited, to recall from consumers all batches of its processed Radix Aconiti Lateralis as it has been found contaminated by another Chinese herbal medicine, processed Radix Aconiti, both of which contains aconitum alkaloids.

The recall follows the investigation of a case of death suspected to be related to aconitum alkaloid poisoning. The deceased has patronised a registered Chinese medicine practitioner (CMP), Mr Lam Ting-to, at Flat 11A, No. 518 to 520, Nathan Road, Kowloon. Preliminary investigations on-site revealed that a herb prescribed by the CMP Lam, namely processed Radix Aconiti Lateralis, could be contaminated by another herb, processed Radix Aconiti, both of which contains aconitum alkaloids.

"According to the latest investigation findings, the contaminated processed Radix Aconiti Lateralis is supplied by a licensed CW & CR , Hip Wo Medicine Company Limited (Hip Wo) at G/F, 137-139 Queen's Road West, Hong Kong. Hip Wo has further supplied the affected herbs to other local CMPs, CW & CR, the list of which is herewith released for public's attention, "a DH spokesman revealed.

"As information so far indicated that the affected herbs were supplied by Guangzhou Tianhe Baoruntang Chinese Herbal Slices Factory, DH has reported the findings to the relevant authorities in the Mainland for follow up," the spokesman continued.

"While we have already alerted the various parties which have received the affected herbs,  no other adverse report in relation to the affected herbs has been received by DH yet," the spokesman remarked.

Hip Wo has set up a hotline at 25469231 related to answer related enquiries.

DH investigation continued.

"While DH continues monitoring the recall and assisting in Police investigation, a hotline 21251133 has also been set up to answer public enquiries about the incident."

"Healthcare professionals who have the affected herbs in hand should surrender it to the Chinese Medicine Division of the DH at 16/F, Two Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, during office hours; or return the product to the supplier. Moreover, members of the public who have been given or purchased the affected herbs should consult their healthcare providers if in doubt or feeling unwell," the spokesman added.

Total recall of processed Radix Aconiti Lateralis.
 The Department of Health (DH) today (April 30) instructed Unipharm Trading Co. (Unipharm), a licensed wholesaler, to recall from market all batches of Lorista tablets 50mg (HK-59349) as the product may bear unapproved package insert and render it unregistered pharmaceutical product.

28 April 2012