HA’s response to recall of anti-hypertensive drug by DH

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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     Following the announcement by the Department of Health (DH) today (July 6) on the recall of an anti-hypertensive drug "Valtensin 80mg tablets and 160mg tablets", the Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson said all public hospitals have been notified to cease prescribing the drug concerned so to dovetail DH's decision and also for precautionary measure. Arrangement would be made to dispense other anti-hypertensive medications to patients.
 
     The spokesperson pointed out that the anti-hypertensive drug concerned is generally prescribed for patients to treat high blood pressure, and heart failure. According to the assessment of clinical experts, there is no immediate risk to patients for continual intake of the drug. The experts are of the views that there shall be a well balance of possible risk factors between continual intake and abrupt stopping of the said drug. The latter might cause adverse effect on the patient's condition. Hence it is recommended to the out-patients who had been dispensed with the drug not to stop taking.
 
     "There are currently around 30,000 patients in public hospitals being dispensed with the anti-hypertensive drug concerned. Their condition will be reviewed by the attending doctor when they attend their next follow-up consultation at the clinic," the spokesperson added.
 
     The spokesperson said the Authority will continue to closely liaise with the DH in obtaining more information about the investigation on the recalled drug. Patients who have any enquiries related to the recalled anti-hypertensive drug can call the public hospitals as appended below:
 

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