Press Release

Total recall of Bandi Enema

27 June 2012

The Department of Health (DH) today (June 27) instructs a licensed drug wholesaler, Hengan Pharmacare Co. Ltd. (Hengan), to conduct a total recall of Bandi Enema (registration no. HK-48262) from market because of quality issue.

Through DH surveillance programme, DH was informed today by the Government Laboratory that a sample of Bandi Enema was found to contain higher than registered level of glycerin (0.14g/ml instead of 0.1g/ml) and sodium chloride (0.14g/ml instead of 0.05g/ml). Although there is no safety issue, the quality concern of the product warrants a total recall.

DH investigation continues.

Bandi Enema, manufactured in Taiwan by Tien Chien Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., is an over-the-counter medicine containing glycerin and sodium chloride for the relief of constipation. Bandi Enema was imported into Hong Kong and had been supplied to retail outlets and exported to Macao.

So far, DH has not received any adverse reports in connection with the drug.

Hengan has set up a hotline 2604 2317 to answer related enquiries.

"Here, contravention of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132), selling a 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," a DH spokesman remarks.

"Members of the public who have the product in hand should cease using it and seek advice from healthcare professionals if they feel unwell or are in doubt," the spokesman says.