People with diabetes are advised by medical experts not to use a model of adhesive patches to be applied to the sole of the foot claiming to lower blood glucose level without consulting healthcare professionals.
The Consumer Council carried out a study on the product in question upon enquiries from consumers. The product was priced from HK$170 to HK$230 per package; each package contained 10 packs and each pack had 2 pieces of 7cm x 7cm patches.
The product claimed to have passed clinical research in Beijing and Tianjin with significant effect in supplementing the lowering of blood glucose level and treatment of some of the symptoms.
The product label recommended affixing the patches to the soles for either 12 or 24 hours. The product also suggested that patients with severe diabetes could use additional patches on the waist for a maximum of 5 days a week. The product also requires patients to use it alongside current western medicine treatment.
The Council sought advice from various medical experts, including the Department of Health, the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Medical Association, a diabetes and endocrinology specialist and a Chinese medicine practitioner, on the product's claims and research findings.
It was generally agreed that there were questions on the product's efficacy in improving diabetes control.
The levels of HbA1c and blood glucose are important indicators when assessing the treatment of diabetes. According to the research reports provided by the product's local supplier, the level of HbA1c of the patients did not show significant difference before and after the treatments. In expert opinion, its claim of lowering HbA1c seemed to be based on inference, not from actual measurement of HbA1c level.
Experts also opined that the sample sizes of the clinical researches were too small to render any conclusive finding. One of the product's research reports also pointed out the need to expand the test sample size.
The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Hong Kong advised against using the product without close medical supervision. The feet of people with diabetes might lose all or part of the sense of touch, the inappropriate application of adhesive patches might form pressure to the tissue of the soles and result in ulcers. Therefore, patients with diabetic foot should stop using the product immediately. The Council received one complaint concerning serious skin allergy from using the product. Symptoms included rashes, peeling and itchy.
Medical expert pointed out that diabetes is a chronic disease and can cause damage to multiple body parts including eyes, heart, kidneys, nervous system and reproductive organs. Using invalid treatment can lead to serious outcomes.
The Department of Health advised the public to consult healthcare professionals for proper treatment when needed and they should refrain from using products solely based on the claims.
Meanwhile, the Council released information regarding a conviction in January for selling counterfeit drugs.
Particulars of the shop involved in conviction for selling counterfeit drugs (convicted in January 2012) are as follows:
Name and Address of Shop Involved
| Name and Address of Shop Involved | Names of Counterfeit Drugs Involved |
Gao Cheng Medicine Company Shop 145, Lei Yue Mun Plaza, Yau Tong, Kowloon | Applied False Trade Descriptions 「Normal Serum Albumin (Human)」 「Globulin Poleas」 「Globmma Zenec」 |
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, it is a serious offence to apply a false trade description to any goods, possess or supply goods with false trade description in the course of any trade or business. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of HK$500,000 and imprisonment for 5 years.
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