Wednesday, November 30, 2011

DH investigating suspected case of Cushing's syndrome with history of taking medicines prescribed by Chan Kwok-wing

Hong Kong (HKSAR) - The Department of Health (DH) is today (November 30) investigating a suspected case of Cushing's syndrome involving an eight-year-old girl who patronised Mr Chan Kwok-wing of PCRC Chinese Medicine Clinic in Mongkok for management of allergic conditions.

The case was reported to the DH by the Hospital Authority. The girl, who had history of eczema and allergic rhinitis, consulted Chan for around two months since mid-September 2011 and was supplied with some pills, including pills in orange and black colour respectively, and green capsules and green tablets.

"The girl has stopped taking the pills after noting DH's announcement on November 28 of a previous incident related to Chan involving a seven-year-old patient who developed features compatible with steroid overdose after taking pills supplied by Chan," a spokesman said. However, her mother started to notice that the girl had some features of obesity and moon face.

The girl was admitted to the Prince of Wales Hospital today where the girl was found to have moon face, truncal obesity and recent weight gain.

Her clinical diagnosis was iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome. Cushing's syndrome can be caused by steroid overdose. The patient is now in stable condition.

The spokesman added, "Investigation of the present case, including testing of the pills for adulteration of western medicines, is in progress,"

The spokesman again appealed to members of the public, who patronised Chan for management of allergy and was supplied with a type of green and another type of orange oral tablets, to consult healthcare professionals for advice as soon as possible.

"Chan is suspected of practising Chinese medicines without licence as there is no record to show that he is either a registered medical practitioner or a pharmacist.

DH is assisting with Police investigation," the spokesman said.

Source: HKSAR Government

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