Recall of two unregistered pharmaceutical products (February 1,
2012)
The Department of Health
(DH) today (February 1) instructed Allways (Germany) Medicine Ltd
(Allways) to recall from the consumers two unregistered
pharmaceutical products namely Centiplex-B Tab (HK-58444) and
Abacod Cod Liver Oil Cap (HK-59342, 100's and 300's) as the
products bear unapproved labels and render them unregistered.
A DH spokesman revealed that the matter came to light upon the
department's investigation into a public enquiry about the
products.
Investigation revealed that Allways is the product registration
certificate holder of the two products. However, the two
unregistered products were sold to local pharmacies by W&S
International Medicine Ltd (W&S) which is an unlicensed
pharmaceutical product trader.
According to information obtained so far, Allways had not
authorised any person to import and sell Centiplex B-Tab and Abacod
Cod Liver Oil Cap 300's. Allways imported unlabelled cod liver oil
cap 100's and transferred them to W&S.
DH is investigating into the sources of the unregistered
products.
The unregistered products were packed with unapproved labels by
W&S. As the safety and quality of the products could not be
ascertained, recall from consumer is initiated as precautionary
measures.
Centiplex-B Tab and Abacod Cod Liver Oil Cap are both vitamin
supplement products.
So far, DH has not received any adverse event report in
connection with the products.
"Here, contravention of the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance and
Import and Export Ordinance are suspected. The sale of unregistered
pharmaceutical products is an offence under the Pharmacy and
Poisons Ordinance. The maximum penalty is a fine of $100,000 and
two years' imprisonment. Import of pharmaceutical products without
license is an offence under the Import and Export Ordinance. The
maximum penalty is a fine of $500,000 and two years' imprisonment,"
the spokesman explained.
Allways has set up a hotline 2412 5375 for public enquires. DH
will monitor the recall.
"Healthcare professionals and retailers must stop supplying the
products. Customers should also stop consuming the said products
immediately. For those who have taken the affected products and are
either in doubt or feeling unwell, they should consult their
healthcare providers," the spokesman urged.
(Reprinted from HKSAR Government web page
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201202/01/P201202010531.htm
)
