China's Ministry of Health has asked medical institutions at various levels across the country to stop the use of Xiangdan Injection made by Tianrun Pharmaceutial Company with the series number of 080524 as the drug is reported to have caused serious side effects on patients.

On March 24, 2009, the Ministry of Health received a report from Guangdong Provincial Health Department, which said that 13 patients in Guangdong had shown symptoms of fever chills and pyrexia after using the this drug. Tests show that this drug, which was made by Tianrun Pharmaceutical Company, was substandard.

So far, Guangdong Provincial Health Department and Guangdong Provincial Food and Drug Administration have jointly issued a circular, asking all medical institutions and dealers to stop selling or using the drug.

The Ministry of Health has asked medical institutions to withdraw and seal the batch of drug and prepare detailed records. In addition, it asks them to keep a close eye on other batches of Xiangdan Injection and stop using them immediately if there are any bad effects. The MOH says that local health departments should do their best to cure those patients who are already suffering from the drug's side effects.

It is understood that Xiangdan Injection is made of traditional Chinese medicine such as salvia miltrorrhiza and lignum dalbergiaeodorderae. It is supposed to help dilate blood vessels and increase the blood flow in the coronary artery. Currently, it is mainly used to cure angina episodes and myocardial infarction.

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