Archive - Zhuifeng Tougu Wan

Starting date:

July 18, 2006

Posting date:

July 18, 2006

Type of communication:

Foreign Product Alert (FPA)

Subcategory:

Natural health products

Source of recall:

Health Canada

Issue:

Product Safety, Poisoning Hazard

Audience:

General Public

Identification number:

RA-1200030

• Images

These products are not authorized for sale in Canada and have not been found in the Canadian marketplace, but it is possible they may have been brought into the country by travellers or purchased over the Internet.

Product name

Zhuifeng Tougu Wan

Manufacturer / Place of origin

Unknown

Product description

Zhuifeng Tougu Wan is a traditional Chinese medicine (intended use unknown) supplied in the form of ball-bearing-type red pills. The pills are packaged in a white opaque plastic bottle with a screw top and a mustard yellow and gold label.

Reason for warning

In November 2005, the U.K.'s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency issued an alert on Zhuifeng Tougu Wan because it was found to contain toxic levels of mercury.

Possible side effects

Mercury can affect the kidneys and central nervous system, causing tremors, insomnia, memory loss, irritability, concentration problems, and can permanently damage the brain and kidneys.

What you should do

Canadians who have this product are advised not to use it, and should consult with a health care professional if they have concerns about their health related to the use of this product.

Health Canada advises Canadians to contact the Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate at 1-800-267-96755 if they find the product listed above in the Canadian marketplace.

Background

Drugs and natural health products that are authorized for sale in Canada will have either an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), a Natural Product Number (NPN) or a Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM) on the label. These numbers indicate that the products have been assessed by Health Canada for safety, effectiveness and quality.

As of the date of this posting, no adverse reactions suspected to be associated with the use of this product have been reported in Canada.

Report a health or safety concern

• Call toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.
• Visit Health Canada's Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax.

Media enquiries

Health Canada
613-957-2983

Public enquiries

613-957-2991
1-866-225-0709

Images

Select thumbnail to enlarge - opens in a new window