Chinese medicines recalled due to quality issue

The Department of Health instructed a local manufacturer of proprietary Chinese medicine, Chaisentomg Pharmaceutical Factory Limited, to recall from consumers five powdered medicines.

According to the DH these were found to have exceeded the stated product weight.

The issue came to light upon follow-up investigation of the  recall of a proprietary Chinese medicine Chaisentomg Baby's Kam Chik San Powder, which was found to contain excessive lead.     
     
Investigation revealed that the manufacturer had over-filled the bottles with medicine powder, resulting in each bottle containing about 40 % more powder than the stated weight, and hence excessive lead content. 

Samples of five other similar products were obtained for testing. Results from the Government Laboratory today showed that all five products were found to contain an excessive amount of medicine powder, ranging from 11 % to 45 % above the stated weight. Nonetheless, the overall lead levels of all five products were within the permitted limits.

The five products are Chaisentomg Bo Ying Tan in paper box packing, Chaisentomg Bo Ying Tan in metal box packing, Chaisentomg Bo Ying Tan, Chaisentomg Hou Tsao San Powder, and Chaisentomg Baby's Kim Chik San Powder. The first four products are known to be used for treating cough in children while the remaining product is for improving appetite in both adults and children.

While the manufacturer has ceased production of all the products since the end of 2009, there may be products still available in the market.