Press Release

Recall of Xylmol Suppository and Xyliderm Cream

19 May 2015

Further to the recall of Xylmol Ointment announced yesterday, the Department of Health (DH) today (May 19) endorsed the licensed drug wholesalers, Loyal Advance Ltd and Wings Pharmaceutical Ltd, to recall respectively Xylmol Suppository (registration number: HK-46432) and Xyliderm Cream (registration number: HK-52644) from shelves as these two products also contain a non-compliant ingredient, zinc oxide, which is not approved for use in Taiwan.

The manufacturer of these products in Taiwan today confirmed the further recall action as a precautionary measure.

The DH has contacted the Taiwan authority for further information about the issue. Investigation is continuing.

Xylmol Suppository, containing lignocaine, zinc oxide, aluminium acetate and hydrocortisone, can only be supplied at pharmacies under the supervision of a registered pharmacist while Xyliderm Cream, containing bismuth oxide and zinc oxide, is an over-the-counter medicine. Both products are indicated for the treatment of haemorrhoids.

"So far, the DH has not received any adverse reports in connection with the above products. The DH will closely monitor the recall," the spokesman for the DH said.

According to Loyal Advance and Wings, Xylmol Suppository was supplied to local pharmacies and private doctors while Xyliderm Cream was supplied to local medicine companies, pharmacies and private doctors and exported to Macau. Both companies have set up hotlines (Loyal Advance: 2433 6608; Wings: 2781 2377) to answer related enquiries.

"People who have purchased and used the above products should consult their health-care providers for advice if in doubt," the spokesman advised.