China Recalls Haemorrhoid Drug Over Liver Damage Fears

China recalled a haemorrhoid medicine on Wednesday after it was linked to liver problems, state media said, in the latest safety incident to tarnish the country's food and drug sector.

The State Food and Drug Administration ordered the producer of Zhixue capsules to cease production and begin a nationwide recall, Xinhua news agency reported.

Antibiotic Drug Recalled Following Adverse Effects
An antibiotic injection used to treat bacterial infection has been recalled by the Chinese Ministry of Health following reports of adverse drug reaction to the injection.

The recall came after 21 people around the country developed liver problems after taking the drug in recent months, it reported.

Another 14 people reported various other adverse reactions.

The medication is made by Vital Pharmaceutical Holdings Ltd, based in the southwestern province of Sichuan.

Merck to Recall One Million Doses of Meningitis Vaccine
Drug giants Merck are recalling a million doses of a vaccine meant to fight meningitis and pneumonia following detection of sterilization problems at a production centre in US.

Bans and recalls of Chinese food and drug products are common due to widespread safety problems in the chaotic and under-regulated industry.

Four children died and 53,000 were made ill in China after drinking milk or milk products laced with the industrial chemical melamine, in a scandal that emerged in September and has rocked China's dairy industry.

Australia Recalls Anti-inflammatory Drug Prexige After Two Deaths
Australia's drugs watchdog said Saturday it had ordered the recall of the anti-inflammatory medication Prexige after it was linked to two deaths.

The melamine was added to give the appearance of a higher protein content.

Last month, some brands of eggs were pulled off shelves nationwide after melamine was detected in Chinese-produced eggs sold in Hong Kong.

South Africa Recalls 20 Million Condoms After Safety Scandal
The South African government issued a recall notice on Monday for 20 million condoms after a scandal which saw safety certificates allegedly issued for defective contraceptives.

The melamine was believed to have been added to chicken feed given to the egg-producing hens.

Source-AFP
SK