The Department of Health (DH) today (May 3) instructed a licensed drug wholesaler, National Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, to recall a batch of Weelgac-S Syrup (registration no. HK-12650, batch no. 421201) from the shelves due to a quality issue.
Under the DH's surveillance system, samples of the batch of Weelgac-S Syrup concerned were collected for testing by the Government Laboratory. Today, analytical results confirmed that the content of one of the active ingredients of the product, namely codeine, is less than that specified on the label (about 85 per cent of the labelled amount). The quality defect may affect the efficacy of the product.
The DH's investigation is continuing.
According to the wholesaler, the product is manufactured by Guangzhou National Pharmaceutical Co Ltd in China. A total of 6,000 bottles of the affected batch were imported into Hong Kong in December 2012, and about 3,400 bottles were supplied to local pharmacies.
Weelgac-S Syrup, containing codeine, ephedrine and promethazine, is used for the relief of coughing. It can only be sold in pharmacy under the supervision of a registered pharmacist.
The wholesaler has set up a hotline, 2345 0633, to answer related enquiries. The DH will closely monitor the recall.
"According to the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132), selling a drug not of the nature, substance or quality demanded by the purchaser is a criminal offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $10,000 and three months' imprisonment," a DH spokesman said.
Under the DH's surveillance system, samples of the batch of Weelgac-S Syrup concerned were collected for testing by the Government Laboratory. Today, analytical results confirmed that the content of one of the active ingredients of the product, namely codeine, is less than that specified on the label (about 85 per cent of the labelled amount). The quality defect may affect the efficacy of the product.
The DH's investigation is continuing.
According to the wholesaler, the product is manufactured by Guangzhou National Pharmaceutical Co Ltd in China. A total of 6,000 bottles of the affected batch were imported into Hong Kong in December 2012, and about 3,400 bottles were supplied to local pharmacies.
Weelgac-S Syrup, containing codeine, ephedrine and promethazine, is used for the relief of coughing. It can only be sold in pharmacy under the supervision of a registered pharmacist.
The wholesaler has set up a hotline, 2345 0633, to answer related enquiries. The DH will closely monitor the recall.
"According to the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132), selling a drug not of the nature, substance or quality demanded by the purchaser is a criminal offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $10,000 and three months' imprisonment," a DH spokesman said.
Reprinted from HKSAR Government:
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201305/03/P201305030420.htm