11 Jan 2008
The Department of Health (DH) today (January 11) called on members of the public not to buy or use a proprietary Chinese medicine (pCm) called Xiao Qing Long Capsules, which contains Aristolochic Acid (AA), a harmful herbal ingredient prohibited in Hong Kong.
A DH spokesman said the department has instructed the wholesaler, Cheng Feng Medicine Company, to recall the product from the market.
According to medical studies, prolonged consumption of AA is associated with kidney failure and cancer of the urinary tract. The importation and sale of Chinese herbs and products containing AA have been prohibited in Hong Kong since June 1, 2004.
DH started the investigation after the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) of the United Kingdom issued a warning of four Chinese medicine products (Xiao Qin Long Wan, Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao Wan, Bai Tou Weng Wan and Xie Gan Wan) found to contain AA.
It was revealed that Xiao Qing Long Capsules was imported from the Mainland by a wholesaler and Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao Wan was made in Hong Kong while Bai Tou Weng Wan and Xie Gan Wan have no record of registration and import records.
DH visited the wholesaler of Xiao Qing Long Capsules and samples were collected for laboratory analysis. Today, results revealed the presence of AA in the product.
DH also visited the manufacturer of Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao Wan and could not find the product. According to the manufacturer, the product has not been manufactured for five years.
The spokesman said no report of adverse event related to the product was recorded by DH.
"Nonetheless, people who have been using the product are advised to immediately stop taking it," the spokesman said.
Anyone who is in possession of the product should dispose of them or submit them to the DH's Pharmaceutical Service at the third floor, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon during office hours.
Members of the public can call the wholesaler's hotline at 2898 7723 for matters related to recall.
DH will set up a telephone enquiry service at 2319 5119 to answer enquiries from 10 am to 1 pm tomorrow (January 12); and from 10 am to 6 pm from Monday to Friday.