Heavy metal-tainted Chinese medicines recalled

The Department of Health warned against buying three proprietary Chinese medicines, namely, Specific Hou Ton Qing, Bi Yan Pian and Pe Min Kan Wan.

The DH's drug surveillance programme found them to contain excessive amounts of heavy metals. To protect public health, the drugs need to be recalled from consumers.

A spokesman for the DH said the action was initiated after the Department learnt from the Government Laboratory earlier today that about 17.5 times the permitted level of arsenic was detected in a Hou Ton Qing sample, and 3.4 times and 2.7 times the permitted level of mercury were found in the Bi Yan Pian and Pe Min Kan Wan samples respectively.

A ll three proprietary Chinese medicines were manufactured on the Mainland, and Bi Yan Pian and Pe Min Kan Wan were made by the same manufacturer. Three proprietary Chinese medicines were imported by three local licensed wholesalers of such medicines, namely Sing Kwan Trading Co., Fung Wah (HK) Company, and M & A Natural Healthcare Products Company Limited. M & A Natural Healthcare Products Company Limited is also a licensed manufacturer of proprietary Chinese medicines. 

"Hou Ton Qing is used to relieve throat discomfort. Bi Yan Pian and Pe Min Kan Wan are used to manage symptoms of rhinitis," the spokesman said.

"Initial investigation by DH revealed that Sing Kwan Trading Co. performed secondary packaging of Hou Ton Qing, while M & A Natural Healthcare Products Company Limited performed both primary and secondary packaging of Pe Min Kan Wan in Hong Kong; the other drug, Bi Yan Pian was sold intact," the spokesman said.