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Foreign product alert

Foreign Product Alerts: Quan Xie Jin Gu Tong, Xinhuang Pian and Jin Gu Feng Shi Kang Jiao Nang

Starting date:
April 19, 2013
Posting date:
April 19, 2013
Type of communication:
Foreign Product Alert (FPA)
Subcategory:
Natural health products
Source of recall:
Health Canada
Source of alert:

Hong Kong Department of Health

Issue:
Undeclared Substance
Audience:
General Public
Identification number:
RA-26791

Introduction

These products are not authorized for sale in Canada and have not been found in the Canadian marketplace, but it is possible they may have been brought into the country by travellers or purchased over the Internet.

Affected products

  • Quan Xie Jin Gu Tong
  • Xinhuang Pian
  • Jin Gu Feng Shi Kang Jiao Nang

Quan Xie Jin Gu Tong

Hazard identified

The Hong Kong Department of Health advised consumers not to use this product after it was found to contain diclofenac, piroxicam and prednisone, prescription drugs that were not declared on the product label.

  • Prednisone is a steroidal prescription drug used to treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and allergic reactions. 
  • Piroxicam and oral diclofenac are prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used to treat pain, fever and inflammation.

Prescription drugs should only be taken under the supervision of a health care practitioner.

Place of origin

Unknown

Side effects

Side effects associated with piroxicam and diclofenac include changes in blood pressure, gastrointestinal disorders (with or without bleeding), anemia, kidney failure and reduced clotting ability.

Side effects associated with prednisone include irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, stomach ulcer, blood disorders, skin, muscle and bone damage, and nervous system disorders. Consult with your health care practitioner prior to stopping use, as sudden discontinuation of prednisone may cause symptoms of withdrawal.

Xinhuang Pian

Hazard identified

The Hong Kong Department of Health advised consumers not to use this product after it was found to contain indomethacin, a prescription drug that was not declared on the product label.

  • Indomethacin is a prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat pain, fever and inflammation.

Prescription drugs should only be taken under the supervision of a health care practitioner.

Place of origin

Unknown

Side effects

Side effects associated with indomethacin include changes in blood pressure, gastrointestinal disorders (with or without bleeding), anemia, kidney failure and reduced clotting ability.

Jin Gu Feng Shi Kang Jiao Nang

Hazard identified

The Hong Kong Department of Health advised consumers not to use this product after it was found to contain multiple prescription and non-prescription drugs that were not declared on the product label:

  • Prednisone is a steroidal prescription drug used to treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and allergic reactions.
  • Indomethacin, piroxicam, and oral diclofenac are prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used to treat pain, fever and inflammation.
  • Naproxen is also an NSAID, and is available either as a prescription or a non-prescription drug depending on the dosage.

Prescription drugs should only be taken under the supervision of a health care practitioner.

Place of origin

Unknown

Side effects

Side effects associated with indomethacin, piroxicam, diclofenac, and naproxen include changes in blood pressure, gastrointestinal disorders (with or without bleeding), anemia, kidney failure and reduced clotting ability.

What you should do

Canadians who possess any of the products listed above are advised not to use them, and should consult with a health care professional if they have concerns about their health related to the use of these products.

Health Canada advises Canadians to contact the Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate at 1-800-267-9675 if they find the products listed above in the Canadian marketplace.

Background

Drugs and natural health products that are authorized for sale in Canada will have either an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), a Natural Product Number (NPN) or a Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM) on the label. These numbers indicate that the products have been assessed by Health Canada for safety, effectiveness and quality.

As of April 3, 2013, no adverse reactions suspected to be associated with the use of these products have been reported to Health Canada.

Report a health or safety concern

  • Call toll-free at 1-866-234-2345
  • Visit Health Canada's Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax

Media enquiries

Health Canada
(613) 957-2983

Public enquiries

(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709

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