The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesman made the following announcement today (August 15) regarding suspected poisoning cases of two patients after consuming decoction prepared from Chinese herbal medicine which contains Radix Aucklandiae:
Upon receiving the cases, the HA immediately notified all Chinese Medicine Clinics cum Training and Research Centres (CMCTRs) to cease prescribing Radix Aucklandiae and has started contacting the patients concerned to advise them to stop consuming the prescribed Chinese herbal medicine containing Radix Aucklandiae.
The HA spokesman said, "After reviewing the records of all CMCTRs, it is estimated that approximately 120 patients sought medical consultation in the last seven days (between August 9 and August 15) and were prescribed with Radix Aucklandiae or still have the unused herb which contains Radix Aucklandiae on hand."
The spokesman urged patients who have taken prescribed Chinese herbal medicine containing Radix Aucklandiae not to be overly worried. If patients experience symptoms such as dizziness or limb weakness after consuming the related Chinese herbal medicine, they should attend Accident and Emergency Department as soon as possible. The HA has notified healthcare staff to pay special attention to the related cases and will provide appropriate treatment to the patients.
Patients who have been prescribed with Chinese medicine granules containing Radix Aucklandiae are not affected by this incident and may continue consuming the prescribed Chinese medicine according to the instructions of their Chinese medicine practitioners.
The HA will closely communicate with the Department of Health and co-operate with its investigation. Also, the HA will follow up with the supplier regarding this incident.
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