Public warned of another mislabelled drug
The public has been urged to stop using a drug to fight fungal infection after a health authority inspection found unregistered product information on its packaging inserts.
Drug wholesaler Deltapharm last night recalled the drug, Funginox Solution 2%, from retailers.
It was imported from Thailand and registered for use to treat the fungal infection commonly known as athlete's foot. But a routine Department of Health inspection on Monday found the packaging insert claimed that the drug could also be used for other fungal infections.
It also recommended treatment duration of two to four weeks, but the department said that was yet to be substantiated.
The drug was supplied to private doctors and pharmacies.
Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, the packaging information for a registered drug must correspond exactly with its registered particulars, and any changes have to be approved in advance.
'Although there is no immediate safety or quality concern with the use of the product, the public should stop using it and seek advice from professionals,' a spokesman said.
The department's investigation is continuing.
Meanwhile, the Hospital Authority yesterday appointed Joseph Lee Man-ho, chief executive of Grantham Hospital, to head an independent panel investigating a drug blunder at Tung Wah Hospital this month.
One of six patients given double doses of epilepsy pills died in the incident, in which the pharmacy staff mislabelled 60-milligram bottles of phenobarbital tablets as 30mg.
Dr Lee will lead the five-member panel to investigate the incident and make recommendations.
The panel will take six to eight weeks to deliver a report, during which the pharmacy staff concerned will be transferred to other duties.
