Qili Brand Tongbianling Jiaonang
Sincere Brand ChuanXinLian Jiaonang
Xiangyao Brand Xiangyao Weian Jiaonang
Biflora Brand Fufang Danshen Pian (film-coated)
Biflora Brand 306 Xiaoyan Jiedu capsules
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Wan

Foreign Product Alert
2008-67
April 30, 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: April 30, 2008
Source of Alert: Health Sciences Authority of Singapore

Product Name:
Qili Brand Tongbianling Jiaonang
Sincere Brand ChuanXinLian Jiaonang
Xiangyao Brand Xiangyao Weian Jiaonang
Biflora Brand Fufang Danshen Pian (film-coated)
Biflora Brand 306 Xiaoyan Jiedu capsules
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Wan

Manufacturer / Place of Origin:

Product name: Qili Brand Tongbianling Jiaonang
Manufacturer: Sichuan Qili Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd
Place of Origin: China

Product name: Sincere Brand ChuanXinLian Jiaonang
Manufacturer: Wuhu Rendetang Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
Place of Origin: China

Product name: Xiangyao Brand Xiangyao Weian Jiaonang
Manufacturer: Anhui Mountain Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
Place of Origin: China

Product name: Biflora Brand Fufang Danshen Pian
Manufacturer: Hefei Shenlu Double Crane Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
Place of Origin: China

Product name: Biflora Brand 306 Xiaoyan Jiedu Capsule
Manufacturer: Wuhu Rendetang Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
Place of Origin: China

Product name: Xiang Sha Liu Jun Wan
Manufacturer: Lanzhou Foci Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
Place of Origin: China

Product Description
Qili Brand Tongbianling Jiaonang is marketed for the treatment of constipation.

Sincere Brand ChuanXinLian Jiaonang is marketed as an anti-inflammatory medication.

Xiangyao Brand Xiangyao Weian Jiaonang is marketed as a treatment for stomach discomfort.

Biflora Brand Fufang Danshen Pian and Biflora Brand 306 Xiaoyan Jiedu capsules are both marketed as anti-inflammatory medications.

Xiang Sha Liu Jun Wan is of unknown indication.

Reason for Warning
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) of Singapore recalled Qili Brand Tongbianling Jiaonang, Sincere Brand ChuanXinLian Jiaonang, Xiangyao Brand Xiangyao Weian Jiaonang, Biflora Brand Fufang Danshen Pian (film-coated), Biflora Brand 306 Xiaoyan Jiedu capsules, and Xiang Sha Liu Jun Wan as they were found to contain high levels of arsenic and/or mercury that exceeded the permissible limits outlined by the HSA standards of safety and quality.

Consumption of excessive amounts of heavy metals, such as arsenic and mercury, poses serious health risks because they may accumulate in vital organs of the body. Children are most susceptible to the toxic effects of heavy metals.

Possible Side-Effects
The toxic effects of arsenic include skin and lung cancers, as well as heart and kidney disease, and liver damage.

The toxic effects of mercury include irritability, tremors, memory loss, insomnia, and concentration problems. Mercury can permanently damage the brain and kidneys.

-30-

Media Inquiries:
Health Canada
(613) 957-2983

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

---

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.

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.