The Department of Health today (February 25) urged people not to consume a product that claimed to treat diabetes, because it was found to contain an undeclared drug ingredient which may cause serious side-effects.
A spokesman for the department said the appeal was made following the Hospital Authority's notification of a case associated with such a product. A 44-year-old patient developed dizziness, palpitation, breathing difficulty, chest tightness and sweating in mid-February and was admitted to Tseung Kwan O Hospital for treatment. She has recovered and was discharged.
The patient claimed to have consumed "Yi Zhi Ren Jiao Nang" before the onset of symptoms. The product was obtained by the patient from a drug company in Shandong for treating diabetes.
Glibenclamide was found in both the product remnants of "Yi Zhi Ren Jiao Nang" and the patient's blood specimen.
Glibenclamide is a sugar-lowering drug. Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance of Hong Kong, products containing glibenclamide must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board before sale and can be sold only on a doctor's prescription and under supervision of a pharmacist.
Improper use of glibenclamide may cause a significant fall in blood sugar level with serious health consequences and even death.
Low blood sugar may result if one consumed the product according to its insert, the spokesman said.
Further investigation into the case is on-going.
The department appealed to the public not to consume "Yi Zhi Ren Jiao Nang", the spokesman said.
"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," he said.
"People who have health problems should consult medical professionals for appropriate advice or medication."
Reprinted from HKSAR Government web page:
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200902/25/P200902250270.htm