The Department of Health (DH) today (July 2) instructed a licensed wholesaler of proprietary Chinese medicines (pCm), American Oriental Bioengineering (Hong Kong) Limited (AOBO), located in Wan Chai, to recall from consumers a pCm named Jinji Capsule (registration number: HKC-16199) as it was found not to comply with the labelling and package insert requirements stipulated in the Chinese Medicines Regulation (Cap 549F) during the DH's market surveillance.
The pCm is claimed to be beneficial for relieving heat and detoxification. Preliminary investigation by the DH revealed that the expiry date, batch number and some of the precautions regarding its use were absent on the label or package insert. According to the pCm's registration record, the package insert should state a precaution alerting diabetic patients about its use.
A spokesman for the DH said, "pCms not complying with the labelling and package insert requirements might convey wrong information and mislead consumers. While our investigation is ongoing, no related adverse reports have been received so far. AOBO has set up a hotline (3102 3616) for related enquiries. We will closely monitor the recall.
"According to sections 143 and 144 of the Chinese Medicine Ordinance (Cap 549), no person shall possess for the purpose of selling any pCm for which the package is not labelled in the prescribed manner or without a package insert which complies with the prescribed requirements. The maximum penalty is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment. We will seek advice from the Department of Justice on prosecution matters upon completion of the investigation. The DH will also refer this case to the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong for consideration of possible disciplinary action," the spokesman added.
Members of the public who have consumed the pCm and feel unwell should seek advice from healthcare professionals. People who have the pCm might submit it to the DH's Chinese Medicine Division at 16/F, AIA Kowloon Tower, Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, during office hours for disposal.
The pCm is claimed to be beneficial for relieving heat and detoxification. Preliminary investigation by the DH revealed that the expiry date, batch number and some of the precautions regarding its use were absent on the label or package insert. According to the pCm's registration record, the package insert should state a precaution alerting diabetic patients about its use.
A spokesman for the DH said, "pCms not complying with the labelling and package insert requirements might convey wrong information and mislead consumers. While our investigation is ongoing, no related adverse reports have been received so far. AOBO has set up a hotline (3102 3616) for related enquiries. We will closely monitor the recall.
"According to sections 143 and 144 of the Chinese Medicine Ordinance (Cap 549), no person shall possess for the purpose of selling any pCm for which the package is not labelled in the prescribed manner or without a package insert which complies with the prescribed requirements. The maximum penalty is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment. We will seek advice from the Department of Justice on prosecution matters upon completion of the investigation. The DH will also refer this case to the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong for consideration of possible disciplinary action," the spokesman added.
Members of the public who have consumed the pCm and feel unwell should seek advice from healthcare professionals. People who have the pCm might submit it to the DH's Chinese Medicine Division at 16/F, AIA Kowloon Tower, Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, during office hours for disposal.
Reprinted from HKSAR Government:
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201407/02/P201407021951.htm