Submitted by Armen Hareyan on Apr 16th, 2007
Prescription Drug Safety
The Department of Health called on members of the public not to buy or use two brands of health products which were found to have contained western drug ingredient for treating impotence and may cause side effects.
A spokesman for the department said the two concerned products are called Chongcaoliubian Jiaonang and Santi Scalper Penis Erection Capsule.
Laboratory tests showed that samples of two products were found to have contained sildenafil, a western drug ingredient used for treating impotence.
A 65-year-old man attended the Accident and Emergency Department of United Christian Hospital earlier for chest and abdominal pain and was discharged on the same day. Investigations revealed that the man had taken Chongcaoliubian Jiaonang obtained in China before the onset of symptoms. His illness was suspected to be related to the product.
As for the second product concerned Santi Scalper Penis Erection Capsule, the department obtained samples of the product for analysis after receiving report from HA that the product may have contained western drug ingredient.
No adverse event related to the consumption of the product has been received by DH so far. DH's investigations revealed that the product is not available for sale in Hong Kong.
The spokesman said the department has no record of the two products having been imported into Hong Kong for sale or submitted for registration.
Sildenafil should only be used under medical supervision. Products containing it are Third Schedule poisons under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance which can only be sold on a doctor's prescription and under supervision by a pharmacist.
Side effects of sildenafil include low blood pressure, headache, vomiting, dizziness, and transient vision disturbances.
Members of the public who have the products should stop using them immediately. They should seek medical attention if they feel unwell after using the product.
They should dispose of the products or submit them to the department's Pharmaceutical service on the third floor, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon during office hours.
The department will inform the relevant authority in the Mainland and Macao about this case.
The spokesman said members of the public who had a problem of sexual dysfunction should consult medical professionals for appropriate advice or medication if necessary.
Source:
Hong Kong Department Of Health 