Press Release

Recall of Cebemyxine eye drops

23 Mar 2011

The Department of Health (DH) today (March 23) endorsed the voluntary recall action adopted by a licensed drug wholesaler, Bausch & Lomb (Hong Kong) Ltd (B&L), which involves all batches of its Cebemyxine Eye Drops (Registration No.: HK-46420) due to possible quality defect.

The drug is manufactured in France. During routine stability testing, the manufacturer found the content of one of the active ingredients, Polymyxin B, to be lower than the specified level in some batches (Batches No:E2576, E1796 and E2826).

A spokesman for DH elaborated that data in France showed that the defective batches have been distributed to Morocco and Turkey. In Hong Kong, B&L's record showed that only one batch (Batch No: F1195) is available in our local market.

"Although the only batch for sale in Hong Kong is not amongst those tested to be of inferior quality, B&L is recalling all products from consumers as a precaution for which the Department endorsed," the spokesman explained. The batch is known to have been supplied to local pharmacies and private doctors, and also exported to Macau.

Cebemyxine Eye Drops is a prescription medicine containing antibiotics and indicated for topical treatment of eye infections. It can only be sold on doctors' prescription in dispensaries and under the supervision of pharmacists.

The DH has not received any adverse event report related to the use of the medicine thus far.

The wholesaler has set up a hotline 2213 3809 to answer public enquiries between 9 am and 5.30 pm during weekdays.

The spokesman advised healthcare professionals and retailers to stop supplying the said product to their clients. People who have used the affected product should consult healthcare providers if in doubt or feeling unwell.

Meanwhile, the DH will investigate into the matter and monitor the recall.