16 May 2011
Further to last Friday's recall of a Chinese medicinal herb Rhizoma Atractylodis (batch number 06010108) from customers of a Yuen Long Chinese medicine practitioner (CMP) Kong Chi-wing, because of contamination by tropane alkaloids, the Department of Health (DH) today (May 16) advises also that patrons of another CMP in Mong Kok, CHIK King-sing, to check whether they have been prescribed Rhizoma Atractylodis as well. If so, they must stop consuming the herb immediately as it also comes from the same Mainland source.
On follow-up investigation, DH finds that the incriminated wholesaler, Kwong Lung Hong (KLH) has supplied the batch of contaminated herb to two CMPs altogether, Kong Chi-wing and Chik King-sing.
A spokesman for DH deliberates that clinic records indicates that a total of 91 patrons, 77 of Kong and 14 of Chik, have been prescribed the incriminated batch of Rhizoma Atractylodis. The 45-year-old index woman patient was Kong's client.
"The two CMPs are contacting their clients with DH's support. Thus far, only one other female patient of CMP Kong also reports mild symptoms compatible with anti-cholinergic poisoning after consuming the contaminated batch of Rhizoma Atractylodis. The woman has not consulted any healthcare worker as her symptoms subsided shortly afterwards," the spokesman remarks.
Meanwhile, chemical analysis by Government Laboratory on another batch of Rhizoma Atractylodis kept by KLH finds no tropane alkaloids. DH’s investigation into both the source and the reason for contamination continues.
The spokesman reminds the public again that any person who has the incriminated Rhizoma Atractylodis in hand should surrender it to DH at 16/F, Two Landmark East, Kwun Tong, Kowloon.
"For patrons who have used the contaminated batch of Chinese herb and feel unwell, they should seek advice from their attending healthcare workers as soon as possible as anticholinergic poisoning caused by tropane alkaloids can be serious and sometimes fatal," the spokesman re-emphasizes.