The Pharmaceutical Supervision and Administration Bureau (ISAF) urged the public in a statement yesterday to stop using herbal skincare cream sold under the Chinese name 草本護膚膏 as it was found to contain triamcinolone acetonide.
The statement did not mention the product’s name in English. According to the Hong Kong health authorities, the product does not have an official English name.
Translated directly into English, the Chinese name means “Herbal Skincare Cream”.
According to Wikipedia, triamcinolone acetonide is a synthetic corticosteroid medication used topically to treat various skin conditions, to relieve the discomfort of mouth sores, and by injection into joints to treat various joint conditions.
The bureau underlined that it has not approved the import of the product into the local market.
The statement stressed that triamcinolone acetonide must be used under prescription as it could cause side effects such as facial oedema (aka face swelling), high blood pressure, hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar), skin atrophy, adrenal insufficiency and osteoporosis to the users.
In order to protect public health, the bureau will closely monitor the possible availability of the product in Macau, according to the statement.
The bureau urged those who have bought the product to immediately stop using it and hand it to the bureau in China Plaza on Avenida de Sidónio Pais.
The bureau did not mention the country or region of origin of the problematic remedy.
Enquiries can be made by calling 8598 3533 during office hours.
This undated handout photo provided by the Pharmaceutical Administration Bureau (ISAF) yesterday shows the “herbal skincare cream” (草本護膚膏)” topical product containing triamcinolone acetonide.
