Press Release

Recall of Madame Pearl's Cough Syrup N10 and Madame Pearl's Cough Syrup N10 (Caramel Flavour)

3 Nov 2010

The Department of Health (DH) today (November 3) announced that a licensed drug manufacturer, Karen Laboratories, is initiating recall of all batches of two pharmaceutical products, namely Madame Pearl's Cough Syrup N10 (Caramel Flavour)(HK-59221) and a related product, Madame Pearl's Cough Syrup N10 (HK-59222) from the market, in order to facilitate the Department's investigation into a complaint.

The DH received a complaint through its established vigilance system on November 1 regarding the presence of glass fragments in a bottle of pharmaceutical product, Madame Pearl’s Cough Syrup N10 (Caramel Flavour) (HK-59221). No other similar report has been received. DH immediately launched an investigation.

The incriminated drug and the related product, Madame Pearl’s Cough Syrup N10 (HK-59222) are new products on the market, just registered in February this year. Both are over-the-counter medicines, used for management of cough and cold.

A total of 16 batches, comprising seven of Caramel Flavour and nine of plain N10 had been manufactured by Karen Laboratories and being supplied to both local pharmacies and medicine shops, and also shipped over to Macao.

Investigation thus far has yet to locate at any specific focus along the production-distribution-retail-user chain. But as a precautionary measure, the manufacturer is recalling from the market all 16 batches of the two products to facilitate DH's ongoing investigation.

The medicines' distributor, Luxembourg Medicine Co., Ltd has set up a hotline (3526 6666) for public enquiries. Luxembourg will also announce on details of the recall's arrangements later on today.

Members of the public who have purchased any of the affected batches are advised not to consume it, follow the recall instructions to be announced and to consult healthcare professionals if in doubt.