XN000022-1996-10-24 — Page 5

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Superior Niuhuang Jiedu Pian manufactured by Shanghai Chinese Medicine Works, Shanghai, China.

These were in addition to the three brands of Niu Huang Chieh Tu Pien found

last week to have also contained high levels of arsenic and had to be recalled. They

were:

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Extra Niu Huang Chieh Tu Wan, manufactured by Ji Sheng Pharmaceutical Fty, Sichuan;

Great Wall Brand Niu Huan Chieh Tu Pien, manufactured by Tian Jin Drug Manufactory, Tian Jin;

Chuan Jiang Pai Refined Niu Huang Superantidote Pharmaceutical Lab, Sichuan.

A spokesman for the department said further to tests conducted on seven brands of the product last week when three of them were found to have excessive high level of arsenic, another 48 brands were collected for testing during follow-up investigation.

Results available today showed that the levels of arsenic in four brands in the second batch had exceeded the level known to cause toxic effects.

Hence, the total number of brands in question was now seven. Actions were being taken to advise the importers to recall the products.

Importers and retailers of Chinese proprietary medicine were urged to suspend selling the seven brands of Niu Huang Chieh Tu Pien mentioned above and to return them to the importers or to surrender them to the Department of Health for destruction.

Advisory letters on the recall were being sent out to known importers and retailers seeking their co-operation.

The spokesman said arsenic at toxic level could cause abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscular cramps and shock. In serious case, it could be fatal.

Members of the public were asked not to purchase or use the seven brands of Niu Huang Chieh Tu Pien mentioned above as they were considered not fit for consumption.

Enquiries could be made to the Department of Health on 2961 8767.

Meanwhile, the department would step up inspections of retail outlets and continue to monitor the process of recall.

End