Hongkongers warned against buying fake vitamins from the mainland
Health officials are investigating a knock-off oral tablet that contains banned and potentially harmful ingredients
The Hong Kong Department of Health urged the public to avoid consuming a Shenzhen medical product this week, warning that it might contain potentially harmful ingredients.
The product, an oral tablet called Vitamin C Yin Qiao Pian, came to the Department of Health’s attention on Tuesday when the Hospital Authority referred a female patient diagnosed with a low potassium blood level.
She said she had consumed the drug before developing symptoms and provided hospital authorities with a sample tablet. Tests of the sample confirmed that it contained the two banned ingredients phenacetin and aminophenazone, both known for adverse side effects, including the development of cancer.
“Members of the public who have purchased [Vitamin C Yin Qiao Pian] should stop using it immediately,” a Department of Health spokesman said on Tuesday.
Following this report, the Drug Administration of Shenzhen contacted Shenzhen Tongan Pharmaceutical, the manufacturers of the batch of Vitamin C Yin Qiao Pian that the Hong Kong patient purchased. They analysed a supply of the drug with the same batch number and discovered no signs of phenacetin and aminophenazone.
Shenzhen Tongan Pharmaceutical chairman Zhuang Xiaoxin claimed that the medicine the Hong Kong patient consumed was a knock-off, and that all batches of Vitamin C Yin Qiao Pian complied with health standards.
