The Guangzhou Food and Drug Administration has banned the use of a physiological saline solution, antibiotics and transfusion appliances by hospitals and clinics in the southern Chinese city.

The banned items share the same lot number as those that caused potentially fatal reactions from four patients at Guangzhou Medical College's Liwan Hospital earlier this week.

Four surgical patients felt extremely cold, vomited, twitched and went into shock while receiving transfusions at almost the same time on Monday.

They were sent to the intensive care unit (ICU) right away. Three of them Zhao Yingyao, 51; Ji Xingping, 66; and Hu Zhuoran, 50 were reported to be recovering and in stable condition, but the fourth, Liang Huifang, 85, was reported in very critical condition.

"We have urged all the hospitals in the city to stop using the physiological saline solution, the antibiotics and the transfusion appliances with the same lot number as those used at the Liwan Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College until the local medical inspection institute confirms their safety," Qiu Yuemei, deputy director of the Guangzhou Food and Drug Administration, told China Daily.

He said that the authorities at Liwan cooperated in the investigation into the case as soon as they received the report and sealed the items for inspection. The result of the inspection is expected in two weeks' time.

Qiu said that there are several possible reasons for the negative reactions to a transfusion, and that the immediate action by the municipal food and drug administration aims to prevent a reoccurrence.

Liu Jianping, Liwan's deputy director, said the hospital has been doing its best to treat the patients. He admitted, though, that Liang's diabetes, cerebral infarction, hypertension and advanced age have made treatment of her much more difficult.

He said that the hospital will handle the case according to regulations and take responsibility, but that for the time being, the hospital was focusing on saving the lives.

(China Daily January 14, 2006)