The Department of Health (DH) today (March 9) appealed to members of the public not to buy or consume an unregistered proprietary Chinese medicine (pCm) called "Tong Ren Xiu Fu Kou Fu Yi Dao Su", as it may contain undeclared and banned Western drugs that are dangerous to health.
The appeal followed the DH's receipt of notification from the Hospital Authority (HA) about an 82-year-old female patient who is a resident of a residential care home for the elderly. The DH commenced the investigation immediately.
"The patient was sent to the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital on February 24 because of a dull appearance. She was found to have low blood glucose. A drug-related adverse effect was suspected. She recovered and was discharged from hospital on March 6.
"The HA's laboratory test on her urine sample showed the presence of the banned Western medicine phenformin and its metabolites, and metabolites of another Western medicine, glibenclamide. Investigation showed that she might have erroneously taken the unregistered pCm called 'Tong Ren Xiu Fu Kou Fu Yi Dao Su' herself. This product belonged to her husband and was purchased in the Mainland by her daughter," a DH spokesman said.
"Results from the Government Laboratory today revealed that the product contained the banned drug phenformin and the Western medicine glibenclamide. The product is not registered in Hong Kong as a pCm. The DH's investigation is continuing," the spokesman added.
"Phenformin, because of the possibility of causing fatal lactic acidosis, has already been banned in Hong Kong since 1985. Glibenclamide is a Western drug used for treating diabetes mellitus. Side effects may include nausea and gastrointestinal upset. Improper use may lead to a fall in the blood sugar level, which can also be fatal if it is allowed to drop too low," the spokesman explained.
"As the product may cause life-threatening hypoglycemia and lactic acidosis, people who have taken the above product should consult health-care professionals as soon as possible if they feel unwell or are in doubt.
"Patients with chronic medical illness like diabetes require holistic long-term management and ought to consult health-care professionals for appropriate advice. They are strongly urged not to self-medicate or use over-the-counter medication without professional supervision. The consequences can be serious," the spokesman said.
"In addition, members of the public are urged not to buy or consume products or pCms of unknown composition or from doubtful sources. Instead, they should consult health-care professionals whenever they feel unwell or are in doubt after having taken suspicious products."
The spokesman added, "Any of the above product that is still in public possession ought to be submitted to the Chinese Medicine Division of the DH at 16/F, Two Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, during office hours for disposal."
(Reprinted from HKSAR Government web page
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201203/09/P201203090502.htm )