Foreign Product Alert

2006-61
July 18, 2006
For immediate release

Health Canada is advising consumers not to use the following product listed in the table below due to concerns about possible side-effects. More info

Fufang LuHui Jiaonang

Date of alert	July 18, 2006
Product Name	Fufang LuHui Jiaonang
Manufacturer / Place of Origin	Unknown
Product Description	According to the U.K.'s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, Fufang LuHui Jiaonang is a traditional Chinese medicine (intended use unknown) supplied in blister packs contained within a blue and cream-coloured carton.
Reason for Warning	In November 2005 and April 2006, the U.K's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency issued alerts on Fufang LuHui Jiaonang because it was found to contain toxic levels of mercury. Product is roughly 11 per cent 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.
Special Information	This product is supposed to be a formulation of the medicinal herb, aloe. This particular product does not appear in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2005) and information is lacking on the other ingredients of this compound medicine.

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Media Inquiries:
Christopher Williams
Health Canada
(613) 946-4250

Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709

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 the product listed in the table 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.