The appeal was made following the department's investigation of a complaint that a 59-year-old man suffered from high blood pressure, high blood sugar level, round face and mild muscle weakness in his upper limbs after taking the product to ease muscle pain. He is now in stable condition and no hospital admission was required.
The product was found to have contained Western drug ingredients, prednisolone and mefenamic acid.
Prednisolone is a steroid. Taking predinsolone orally for a long time can cause side effects such as moon face (round face), high blood pressure, high blood sugar and peptic ulcer.
Mefenamic acid is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The known side effects include gastro-intestinal discomfort, nausea, stomach pain and bleeding.
In Hong Kong, products containing Western drug ingredients are Western medicines and must be registered under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance before sale. The possession or sale of unregistered pharmaceutical product is an offence liable to the maximum penalties of a $100,000 fine and two years' imprisonment.
All these Western drug ingredients should only be used under medical supervision. They are classified as Third Schedule poisons under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance and can only be sold on a doctor's prescription and under supervision of a pharmacist.
People who have been using the product are advised to stop taking them immediately and seek advice from medical professionals if necessary.
They should dispose of the product or submit it to the department's Pharmaceutical Service at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon during office hours.
Reprinted from HKSAR Government web page:
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200811/05/P200811050245.htm