Licensed drug wholesaler Pfizer Corporate Hong Kong is recalling a batch of Zithromax Powder for Oral Suspension 200 mg/5ml from the market due to a possible quality defect, the Department of Health says.

The registration number of the drug concerned is HK-36432, Batch No. 96415502. The recall was made after Pfizer received two complaints in Hong Kong about the concerned batch in which black particles were found.

The product was manufactured in Italy. Pfizer's investigations so far showed the product was likely to be contaminated with rubber particles, with an average size of 0.27mm.

About 39,000 boxes of the affected batch were imported into Hong Kong. Of them, 33,000 boxes have been supplied to public and private hospitals, private doctors and pharmacies. Some were exported to Macau.

The drug is an antibiotic commonly used for infectious diseases in children. It can only be sold in pharmacies on a doctor's prescription and under a pharmacist's supervision.

Healthcare professionals and retailers should stop supplying the product to their clients. People who have used the product should consult healthcare professionals if in doubt, or call Pfizer's hotline, 2590 8082, for enquiries.