A spokesman for the Department of Health (DH) today (June 22) said that the department's investigation into a case of suspected mould contamination of a pharmaceutical product named Enzyplex (HK Registration Number: HK-06544) is ongoing.
The DH's Drug Office has collected different batches of the product from the local supplier Unam Corporation Ltd (Unam) as well as Hospital Authority (HA) and DH clinics for further analysis yesterday (June 21) to confirm whether the product exceeds the pharmacopoeial standards on mould and yeast content. The analysis usually takes five to seven days and further actions, if any, will depend on the testing results.
The DH has also instructed Unam to ask the manufacturer in Indonesia to conduct an investigation. Initial investigation by the manufacturer indicates that the raw materials used and the production facilities complied with its in-house specifications. The manufacturer will continue to conduct a thorough investigation and submit an investigation report as soon as possible.
According to Unam, about 128,000 bottles of 100 tablets and 46,000 bottles of 30 tablets of the product have been supplied to the HA, DH clinics, private hospitals, local private doctors, pharmacies and medicine stores. The majority of the product has been supplied to the private market. As a precautionary measure, Unam has asked all its clients to suspend the supply of the product to patients or customers. Unam has also set up a hotline (3665 2000) for public enquiries.
So far, the DH has not received any adverse reports related to the consumption of the product. People who are consuming the product, or in doubt or feeling unwell after consumption, should seek advice from healthcare professionals.
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