Probe into arsenic content in cold tablets
By Li Qian and Cai Wenjun |
March 29, 2013, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
The Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Food and Drug Administration is investigating a leading pharmaceutical company's local subsidiary after reports that its Yingqiao cold tablets mixed with vitamin C, which are available over-the-counter, may contain arsenic and mercury.
The Guangxi FDA has asked the Guangxi Yingkang Pharmacy Co to stop producing and marketing the product until further notice.
A China Central Television report on Tuesday claimed that Yingkang's tablets contain arsenic and mercury because sulphur is used to steam the raw materials.
The parent company, Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Holdings Limited, said that the allegedly chemical-laced tablets produced by its subsidiary have been taken off the shelves and sealed for further investigation.
The company's supplier of raw materials is also under the FDA's scanner.
A Guangxi Yingkang executive, surnamed Liang, said the company was cooperating with authorities in their investigation, Beijing Times reported yesterday.
One of the raw materials of the tablet, wild honeysuckle flower, is a popular traditional prescription used for coughs, sore throats and headaches.
The report said farmers growing the flowers use industrial sulphur to prevent them from mildewing. In the process the nutrients are lost while toxic arsenic and mercury remain, according to the CCTV report.
Separately, the Guangxi Yingkang's supplier reportedly processed the stems and leaves instead of the flowers, and sold them to the pharmaceutical firm, the report said.
"We are closely following the matter and will take necessary measures as suggested by the State Food and Drug Administration," a Shanghai FDA official Du Bing said yesterday.
Though still available over-the-counter, the Yinqiao tablets in question are rarely sold in Shanghai because of their relatively low profit margins.
But some other high-end Yinqiao tablets are still available in leading chain stores like Leiyunshang Drug Store for about 17 yuan (US$3.7) per pack.
A saleswoman at a Leiyunshang outlet in Shanghai said they haven't sold the Yinqiao tablets with vitamin C, which cost 5 yuan, for a long time.
But the controversy over the Yinqiao tablets has many users worried.
"I will stop using all Yinqiao tablets for possible side effects," a customer at Leiyunshang outlet said yesterday.
The Guangxi FDA has asked the Guangxi Yingkang Pharmacy Co to stop producing and marketing the product until further notice.
A China Central Television report on Tuesday claimed that Yingkang's tablets contain arsenic and mercury because sulphur is used to steam the raw materials.
The parent company, Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Holdings Limited, said that the allegedly chemical-laced tablets produced by its subsidiary have been taken off the shelves and sealed for further investigation.
The company's supplier of raw materials is also under the FDA's scanner.
A Guangxi Yingkang executive, surnamed Liang, said the company was cooperating with authorities in their investigation, Beijing Times reported yesterday.
One of the raw materials of the tablet, wild honeysuckle flower, is a popular traditional prescription used for coughs, sore throats and headaches.
The report said farmers growing the flowers use industrial sulphur to prevent them from mildewing. In the process the nutrients are lost while toxic arsenic and mercury remain, according to the CCTV report.
Separately, the Guangxi Yingkang's supplier reportedly processed the stems and leaves instead of the flowers, and sold them to the pharmaceutical firm, the report said.
"We are closely following the matter and will take necessary measures as suggested by the State Food and Drug Administration," a Shanghai FDA official Du Bing said yesterday.
Though still available over-the-counter, the Yinqiao tablets in question are rarely sold in Shanghai because of their relatively low profit margins.
But some other high-end Yinqiao tablets are still available in leading chain stores like Leiyunshang Drug Store for about 17 yuan (US$3.7) per pack.
A saleswoman at a Leiyunshang outlet in Shanghai said they haven't sold the Yinqiao tablets with vitamin C, which cost 5 yuan, for a long time.
But the controversy over the Yinqiao tablets has many users worried.
"I will stop using all Yinqiao tablets for possible side effects," a customer at Leiyunshang outlet said yesterday.
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