The Department of Health (DH) today (November 8) endorsed a licensed drug wholesaler, Hitpharm Pharmaceutical Company Ltd, to recall all batches of Ipufen Tablet 200mg (registration number: HK-64033) from the market due to a quality issue.
During the DH's market surveillance, samples of the above pharmaceutical product were collected for analysis. Testing results from the Government Laboratory showed that the samples failed the disintegration test, which might affect the efficacy of the product.
Hitpharm thus voluntarily recalled the product from the market and has set up a hotline (2111 3862) to answer related enquiries. The DH has also instructed Hitpharm to report the root cause upon investigation by its manufacturer in Taiwan. The DH's investigation is continuing.
According to Hitpharm, the product has been supplied to local private doctors and pharmacies.
The above pharmaceutical product contains Ibuprofen, which is a Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap 138) and is used to treat pain and inflammation. It can only be supplied at a pharmacy under the supervision of a registered pharmacist.
"So far, the DH has not received any adverse reaction reports in connection with the above product. The DH will closely monitor the recall," a spokesman for the DH said.
Members of the public should consult healthcare professionals if in doubt or feeling unwell after using the product.
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