The Coroner will investigate the deaths of two patients who received the wrong medicine from a general practitioner in Wong Tai Sin.

Director of Health Dr Lam Ping-yan announced tonight he has handed the case to the Coroner through the Police after confirming an 83-year-old man and an 86-year-old woman died.

They are among 151 of the clinic's patients prescribed with the drug labelled as "simethicone" since January 3. Tests on the mislabelled drug have found it to actually be a diabetes treatment called gliclazide. The department has contacted 107 of the patients to warn them to stop taking the drug.

It is striving to reach the remainder of the patients, and Dr Lam urged customers of Dr Ronald Li's clinic at 208, Chuk Yuen Estate Shopping Centre, to stop taking the drug, and to call the department's hotline 2572 1221.

Both victims were hospitalised for loss of consciousness, but only the man had low blood sugar. People without diabetes who have taken the dispensed drug would develop muscular weakness and inco-ordination, mental confusion and sweating. If severe, it can lead to coma.

The hotline has received 91 calls since May 27, with 28 reporting to have received drugs from the doctor.