The Department of Health (DH) today (December 1) urged members of the public not to buy or take a proprietary Chinese medicine called Shenyi Qian Lie Hui Chun Capsule.
A spokesman for the Department said the importer of the product, Shun Tat Hong, has been instructed to immediately recall the products from the market and to surrender them to DH.
"Laboratory tests revealed that the product contains Aristolochic acid (AA).
"Sale and importation of Chinese herbs and related products containing AA is prohibited in Hong Kong since June 1, 2004.
"According to medical documents, prolonged and excessive use of herbs containing AA is associated with kidney failure and cancer of the urinary tract.
"Members of the public who have purchased the product are advised to stop using them, dispose of the product or surrender it to the Pharmaceutical Service of DH at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon during office hours," the spokesman said.
Members of the public can call the importer's hotline at 2535 9986 for matters related to recall of the product.
DH has also set up a telephone enquiry service at 2319 5119 for members of the public during office hours.
Reprinted from HKSAR Government web page:
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200412/01/1201268.htm