HONG KONG ISSUES WARNINGS ON CONTAMINATED MEDICINES

Hong Kong has issued safety warnings in connection with several traditional Chinese medicines contaminated with prescription-only drugs and harmful impurities.

The Hong Kong Department of Health instructed an importer and wholesaler to recall a batch of Rhizoma atractylodis following confirmation of a patient being poisoned. The patient developed symptoms including flushing, confusion, slurred speech and dry mouth shortly after taking the herbal formulation. Investigation revealed that the herb had been contaminated with harmful impurities (scopolamine and atropine). The herb was imported from mainland China.

Two other traditional medicines, Chuifong Toukuwan and Nan Lien Chuifong Toukuwan, were found by Hong Kong authorities to contain the pain killer Diclofenac. Diclofenac is a prescription-only medicine and side effects include gastric pain, nausea, vomiting, peptic ulcers and bleeding.

Authorities issued warnings about four other medicines after laboratory tests revealed that the total bacterial count of the products exceeded the maximum permitted limit. The products affected are manufactured by Hong Kong Po Wo Tong Medicine Factory.