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The Department of Health announces the latest management measures for Aristolochia and Asarum Chinese medicinal materials
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The Department of Health today (June 8) reiterated that due to adverse reactions caused by the consumption of Aristolochia Chinese medicinal materials and their preparations, the import and sale of Aristolochia Chinese medicinal materials and their preparations will be halted from June 1, 2004.
At a press conference, Dr. Leung Ting-hung, Deputy Director of Health, stated that Chinese medicine merchants must recall Aristolochia medicinal materials and any Chinese patent medicines containing Aristolochia medicinal materials or aristolochic acid.
As for Asarum medicinal materials, the Department of Health announced that only the roots of Asarum can be used.
"However, the public should use it under the guidance of a physician. Chinese patent medicines containing Asarum must prove to be free of aristolochic acid to be registered," said Dr. Leung.
According to literature reports, long-term excessive consumption of Chinese medicines containing aristolochic acid can lead to kidney failure and urinary tract cancer.
Dr. Leung stated that the Department of Health announced on April 24 that from June 1, 2004, the import and sale of specified Aristolochia Chinese medicinal materials will be stopped, the import and sale of specified Asarum Chinese medicinal materials will be temporarily halted, and the import and sale of Chinese patent medicines containing aristolochic acid will be stopped.
The Department of Health, together with the Government Laboratory and Hong Kong Baptist University, conducted tests on some medicinal materials and Chinese patent medicines in Hong Kong using aristolochic acid as a detection indicator.
According to the research and test results, among the medicinal materials, Guanmutong had the highest content of aristolochic acid, followed by Qingmuxiang, Madouling, Xungufeng, and Guangfangji, with Asarum having the lowest content.
Among Asarum, the above-ground parts had the highest content of aristolochic acid, while the roots had the lowest. Additionally, the content extracted by decoction was less than that extracted by organic solvents, and no aristolochic acid was detected in Asarum roots after compound decoction.
Based on these research results, the Chinese Medicine Group of the Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Council reassessed the relevant control measures and decided to continue the suspension of import and sale of specified Aristolochia Chinese medicinal materials from June 1. As for Asarum, it can be used under appropriate conditions, namely:
＊Asarum should be used under the prescription guidance of a Chinese medicine practitioner.
＊The species of Asarum used must be those specified in the Chinese Medicine Ordinance.
＊Only the roots of Asarum can be used.
＊The dosage of Asarum should not exceed the range of 1-3 grams listed in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (2000 edition).
＊The decoction time for Asarum should not be less than 60 minutes.
＊Merchants should import Asarum roots of the species specified in the Chinese Medicine Ordinance from decoction piece factories.
＊Asarum should only be used in decoction form and should not be ground into powder for internal use.
The Chinese Medicine Group also decided to prohibit the use of Aristolochia medicinal materials in the composition of Chinese patent medicines. For Chinese patent medicines containing Asarum, "no aristolochic acid should be detected" will be included in the quality standards.
In addition, the Department of Health announced on March 13, 2004, the suspension of the use of the Chinese medicinal material "Baiying," and this arrangement will be canceled.
Dr. Leung said, "Given that the confusion in the market has been corrected, the Department of Health has decided to allow the resumption of sales of 'Baiying' from June 14, 2004."
Dr. Leung Ting-hung stated that the Chinese Medicine Group of the Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Council will issue "Guidelines for the Safe Use of Asarum" to all Chinese medicine practitioners in Hong Kong.
The Chinese Medicine Group of the Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Council will also issue "Guidelines for Handling Chinese Medicinal Materials and Preparations Containing Aristolochic Acid" to all Chinese medicine merchants in Hong Kong.
In addition, Chinese medicine merchants must recall Chinese patent medicines containing aristolochic acid or Aristolochia medicinal materials, as well as Asarum (except Asarum roots) and Aristolochia medicinal materials.
Dr. Leung said, "The Department of Health will later hold briefings for the industry to introduce the contents of the above guidelines."
Finally, Dr. Leung emphasized that the public should consult a Chinese medicine practitioner before taking Chinese medicines and follow the practitioner's instructions for medication.For inquiries regarding the recycling of proprietary Chinese medicines or Chinese medicinal materials, please call 2209 9409 or 2209 9405 during office hours.
End
Tuesday, June 8, 2004
Source: http://www. info. gov. hk/ gia/ general/ 200406/ 08/ 0608170. htm
Hong Kong Department of Health Announces New Regulations on Aristolochia and Asarum Medicinal Materials
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
The Department of Health today (June 8) reiterated that due to adverse reactions caused by the consumption of Aristolochia Chinese medicinal materials and their preparations, the import and sale of Aristolochia Chinese medicinal materials and their preparations will be halted from June 1, 2004.
At a press conference, Dr. Leung Ting-hung, Deputy Director of Health, stated that Chinese medicine merchants must recall Aristolochia medicinal materials and any Chinese patent medicines containing Aristolochia medicinal materials or aristolochic acid.
As for Asarum medicinal materials, the Department of Health announced that only the roots of Asarum can be used.
"However, the public should use it under the guidance of a physician. Chinese patent medicines containing Asarum must prove to be free of aristolochic acid to be registered," said Dr. Leung.
According to literature reports, long-term excessive consumption of Chinese medicines containing aristolochic acid can lead to kidney failure and urinary tract cancer.
Dr. Leung stated that the Department of Health announced on April 24 that from June 1, 2004, the import and sale of specified Aristolochia Chinese medicinal materials will be stopped, the import and sale of specified Asarum Chinese medicinal materials will be temporarily halted, and the import and sale of Chinese patent medicines containing aristolochic acid will be stopped.
The Department of Health, together with the Government Laboratory and Hong Kong Baptist University, conducted tests on some medicinal materials and Chinese patent medicines in Hong Kong using aristolochic acid as a detection indicator.
According to the research and test results, among the medicinal materials, Guanmutong had the highest content of aristolochic acid, followed by Qingmuxiang, Madouling, Xungufeng, and Guangfangji, with Asarum having the lowest content.
Among Asarum, the above-ground parts had the highest content of aristolochic acid, while the roots had the lowest. Additionally, the content extracted by decoction was less than that extracted by organic solvents, and no aristolochic acid was detected in Asarum roots after compound decoction.
Based on these research results, the Chinese Medicine Group of the Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Council reassessed the relevant control measures and decided to continue the suspension of import and sale of specified Aristolochia Chinese medicinal materials from June 1. As for Asarum, it can be used under appropriate conditions, namely:
＊Asarum should be used under the prescription guidance of a Chinese medicine practitioner.
＊The species of Asarum used must be those specified in the Chinese Medicine Ordinance.
＊Only the roots of Asarum can be used.
＊The dosage of Asarum should not exceed the range of 1-3 grams listed in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (2000 edition).
＊The decoction time for Asarum should not be less than 60 minutes.
＊Merchants should import Asarum roots of the species specified in the Chinese Medicine Ordinance from decoction piece factories.
＊Asarum should only be used in decoction form and should not be ground into powder for internal use.
The Chinese Medicine Group also decided to prohibit the use of Aristolochia medicinal materials in the composition of Chinese patent medicines. For Chinese patent medicines containing Asarum, "no aristolochic acid should be detected" will be included in the quality standards.
In addition, the Department of Health announced on March 13, 2004, the suspension of the use of the Chinese medicinal material "Baiying," and this arrangement will be canceled.
Dr. Leung said, "Given that the confusion in the market has been corrected, the Department of Health has decided to allow the resumption of sales of 'Baiying' from June 14, 2004."
Dr. Leung Ting-hung stated that the Chinese Medicine Group of the Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Council will issue "Guidelines for the Safe Use of Asarum" to all Chinese medicine practitioners in Hong Kong.
The Chinese Medicine Group of the Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Council will also issue "Guidelines for Handling Chinese Medicinal Materials and Preparations Containing Aristolochic Acid" to all Chinese medicine merchants in Hong Kong.
In addition, Chinese medicine merchants must recall Chinese patent medicines containing aristolochic acid or Aristolochia medicinal materials, as well as Asarum (except Asarum roots) and Aristolochia medicinal materials.
Dr. Leung said, "The Department of Health will later hold briefings for the industry to introduce the contents of the above guidelines."
Finally, Dr. Leung emphasized that the public should consult a Chinese medicine practitioner before taking Chinese medicines and follow the practitioner's instructions for medication.For inquiries regarding the recycling of proprietary Chinese medicines or Chinese medicinal materials, please call 2209 9409 or 2209 9405 during office hours.
End
Tuesday, June 8, 2004
Source: http://www. info. gov. hk/ gia/ general/ 200406/ 08/ 0608170. htm