The Department of Health has ordered registered drug manufacturer Universal Pharmaceutical Laboratories to recall four batches of products from one of its production lines.
The manufacturer told the department that it had received a complaint regarding a metal wire found in a Bronco-DM tablet (HK-39022).
Initial investigations showed the metal wire might have come from a sieve used during production. So far, no adverse report has been received.
The manufacturer identified minor damage in one of its production line's sieves back in May through its regular checking. It immediately replaced the defective sieve.
Bronco-DM tablets contain dextromethorphan and bromhexine which are used to suppress coughing. The batch related to the complaint was manufactured in May, with batch number 10031506. A total of 285 bottles, each with 1,000 tablets, had been distributed to doctors and dispensaries.
As a precautionary measure, the manufacturer will recall from the market three other batches of products manufactured prior to the incident in May, in addition to the batch at the centre of the complaint.
The recalled medicines include:
* Uni-Zyme 30mg tablets (HK-45451) (batch no. 10030811);
* Uni-Hydrin 50mg tablets (HK-35110) (batch no. 10031004);
* Uni-Hydrin 50mg tablets (HK-35110) (batch no. 10041206); and
* Bronco-DM tablets (HK-39022) (batch no. 10031506).
Uni-Zyme tablets are an over-the-counter medicine containing lysozyme which is used for sore throat and inflammation while Uni-Hydrin tablets contain dimenhydrinate which is used for motion sickness and nausea.
Both Bronco-DM tablets and Uni-Hydrin tablets are Part I poisons which can be sold only in pharmacies by a registered pharmacist or under his supervision.
For enquiries about the recall, call 2635 5007 or 2635 5008 from 9am to 5.30pm starting tomorrow.
