The Department of Health (DH) today (February 17) endorsed two licensed drug wholesalers, namely Pharmareg Consulting Co. Ltd. (Pharmareg) and Vantone Medical Supplies Co Ltd (Vantone) to recall Belviq Tablets 10mg (Belviq), from the market due to a possible increased risk of cancer caused by the drug. Belviq is an unregistered pharmaceutical product imported for the treatment of particular patients.
The DH noted an announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) on 13.2.2020 that the manufacturer of Belviq was requested by the USFDA to voluntarily withdraw the product from the US market because the product was found to be associated with an increased occurrence of cancer. In light of this, the wholesalers are voluntarily recalling the products from the local market.
Belviq containing lorcaserin, is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of obesity. According to the wholesalers, the product has been supplied to one private hospital and to private doctors, solely for the treatment of particular patients. The wholesalers have set up hotlines to answer related enquiries.
Pharmareg 2882 2672/9177 1232
Vantone 2601 2877
The DH will closely monitor the recall. So far, the department has not received any adverse reports in connection with the product concerned.
"People who have used the above product should stop using the product and consult their healthcare professionals." a DH spokesperson said.
Reposted from HKSAR Government webpage:
https://www.drugoffice.gov.hk/eps/news/showNews/Recall+of+Belviq+Tablets+10mg/pharmaceutical_trade/2020-02-17/en/39534.html