Press Release

Recall of proprietary Chinese medicine with failed microbial limit

3 October 2012

The Department of Health (DH) today (October 3) instructed a licensed proprietary Chinese medicines (pCm) wholesaler, Peking Health Products Company, to recall from consumers all batches of a registered pCm, 【OIHP】Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Wan (registration no.: HKP-11335), as its microbial limit exceeded the registration criteria set out by the Chinese Medicines Board of the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong.

The DH's market surveillance revealed that a batch (batch no. 20120603W) of the aforementioned pCm was found to have a total bacterial count of 61,000 per gram, which was about six times of the registration criteria.

"The DH's initial investigation shows that the pCm was manufactured in the Mainland and imported by the wholesaler for outer packaging before they were sold in Hong Kong. The wholesaler has imported the pCm four times since November 2010. As a precautionary measure, the DH has instructed the wholesaler to recall all batches of the pCm from consumers, "a DH spokesman explained.

The wholesaler has set up a telephone hotline (2424 7676) to address public enquiries.

Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Wan is used for treating common cold, diarrhea, vomiting, summer heat-stroke and headache. Investigation is on-going. The DH has informed the drug authority in the Mainland to follow up.

Members of the public who have used this pCm and are either unsure or feeling unwell should seek advice from their health-care professionals. They should surrender the pCm in hand to DH’s office at 16/F, Two Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon.

While no adverse report has been received so far, the DH will maintain vigilance and monitor the development.