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Call to stop using Wai Ling Sin
Chinese herbal medicine retailers and wholesalers are asked to temporarily stop selling a Chinese herb, Wai Ling Sin, to avoid inadvertent poisoning due to contamination by a similar looking herb which contains podophyllotoxin, also known as Kwai Gou toxin.
The measure was taken immediately by the Department of Health after it found the presence of the podophyllotoxin among samples of Wai Ling Sin collected from retailers in the past few days for testing and reports of further Chinese herbal poisoning cases, a spokesman for the Department said today (Saturday).
The Department also appealed to Chinese herbal practitioners to temporarily stop prescribing Wai Ling Sin, also known as Fung Che.
"Members of the public should also refrain from self-medication and self- prescription of this herb. They should seek proper advice from Chinese herbal practitioners before the use of traditional Chinese medicine," the spokesman said.
He said that following three recent cases of Chinese herbal poisoning by podophyllotoxin, the Department had contacted some 53 wholesalers and 55 retailers advising them to be on the alert of possible contamination of Wai Ling Sin by herbs which contained podophyllotoxin, also known as Kwai Gou toxin.
Of the 78 samples of Wai Ling Sin collected from traders in the past few days. seven were confirmed to contain podophyllotoxin.
Meanwhile, there are three more confirmed cases and three suspected cases of poisoning by podophyllotoxin after ingestion of "Wai Ling Sin". The Department of Health was notified of these cases by the Hospital Authority and a member of the public.
"We are most concerned about these incidents and are writing to wholesalers and retailers asking them to temporarily suspend the sale of Wai Ling Sin," the spokesman said.
"Retailers are also advised to obtain their stock of Chinese herbs only from reliable and reputable sources."