MONDAY, JULY 28, 1986
CHILDREN ASP IR IN WITHDRAWN FROM MARKET
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THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) FORMALLY REQUESTED IMPORTERS AND MANUFACTURERS OF ASPIR IN PRODUCTS TO WITHDRAW VOLUNTARILY CHILDREN ASPIR IN PRODUCTS FROM THE LOCAL MARKET.
THE DEPARTMENT ISSUED THE CALL AFTER IT HAD DECIDED TO ENDORSE THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE PHARMACEUTICALS REGISTRATION COMMITTEE OF THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD WHICH HELD A MEETING RECENTLY TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE ON ASPIRIN.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THERE HAD BEEN CONFLICTING REPORTS FROM OVERSEAS COUNTRIES INDICATING A POSSIBLE LINK BETWEEN THE REYE'S SYNDROME AND ASPIRIN USED BY CHILDREN.
THE DEPARTMENT HAD WRITTEN TO THE COMMITTEE ON SAFETY OF MEDICINE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM TO SEEK MORE INFORMATION ON THE ISSUE.
AS A RESULT, A DECISION WAS MADE TO INFORM IMPORTERS AND MANUFACTURERS OF ASP IR IN TO WITHDRAW CHILDREN ASPIR IN PRODUCTS FROM SALE VOLUNTARILY, HE SAID.
IN A LETTER SENT OUT BY THE DEPARTMENT, IT WAS POINTED OUT THAT AVAILABLE EVIDENCE INDICATED A POSSIBLE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN THE REYE'S SYNDROME AND ASPIRIN INGESTION AND IT MAY BE
A CONTRIBUTORY FACTOR TO THE CAUSATION OF THE DISEASE IN SOME CHILDREN.
SINCE THERE IS EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT FOR FEVER IN CHILDREN, ASPIRIN SHOULD NO LONGER BE GIVEN TO CHILDREN UNDER 12 YEARS EXCEPT ON MEDICAL ADVICE.
TO ENSURE THE SAFE USE OF ASPIRIN PREPARATIONS, THE IMPORTERS AND MANUFACTURERS ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON PRECAUTIONS IN TAXING ASPIRIN, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, EITHER ON THE LABEL OR IN A LEAFLET ATTACHED TO THE PRODUCT.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THE ADVICE THAT CHILDREN UNDER 12 SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN ASPIR IN EXCEPT ON MEDICAL ADVICE AND THE MEDICINE SHOULD BE KEPT OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN AT HOME.
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