Xiao Qin Long Capsules

Foreign Product Alert
2008-20
February 6, 2008
For immediate release

Health Canada is advising consumers not to use the products specified below due to concerns about possible side-effects. More info

Date of alert: February 6, 2008
Source of Alert: Hong Kong Department of Health
Product Name: Xiao Qin Long Capsules

Manufacturer / Place of Origin
Manufacturer unknown, distributed by Cheng Feng Medicine Company / Hong Kong

Product Description
Xiao Qin Long Capsules is a natural health product of unknown indication.

Reason for Warning
The Hong Kong Department of Health recalled Xiao Qin Long Capsules as it was found to contain aristolochic acid, a naturally occurring toxin associated with serious and potentially fatal health effects.

Possible Side Effects
Health risks associated with the use of aristolochic acid include cancer and kidney failure.

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Media Inquiries:
Health Canada
(613) 957-2983

For more details on these Foreign Product Alerts, please visit the Health Canada Web site.

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This product is not authorized for sale in Canada and has not been found in the Canadian marketplace. However, it is possible this product could be purchased by Canadians travelling abroad or has been brought into Canada through personal importation by travellers or purchased over the Internet.

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.

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.

Health Canada advises Canadians to contact the Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate at 1-800-267-9675 if they find any of the products listed above in the Canadian marketplace.

For more information about the information contained in this advisory, please contact Health Canada's public inquiries line at (613) 957-2991 or toll-free at 1-866-225-0709.

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.