18 January 2006 (Wednesday)

In response to media enquiries, a spokesman for the Department of Health confirmed that the department has received notification from Family Planning Association of Hong Kong (FPAHK) that it was calling back all clients inserted with Copper T 380A intra-uterine contraceptive device (IUCD) for removal with or without replacement with another type of IUCD.

The association observed two cases of partially broken Copper T 380A IUCD of batch number 60401 and decided to call back all patients concerned as precautionary measure because broken IUCD could lead to reduced contraceptive efficacy.

The spokesman said that DH has alerted Hospital Authority, private hospitals, professional associations and medical practitioners of the incident of breakage of the batch of IUCDs .

So far, no serious injuries related to breakage of these IUCDs have been reported locally or overseas.

The spokesman said that DH did not use Copper T 380A IUCD of this batch. He called on women with IUCDs inserted should consult their doctors for advice.

“If they suspect that they are pregnant or have symptoms of abnormal or severe abdominal pain, excessive menstrual flow or abnormal vaginal discharge, they should consult their doctors immediately,” he said.