Hongmao Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. apologized on Thursday for not “responding proactively” to the recent news surrounding its embattled medicinal wine product.

Last week, lawyers, medical professionals, and netizens slammed the company after a doctor was arrested for publishing an article questioning the efficacy of Hong Mao Medicated Wine, a heavily advertised over-the-counter product. Amid the fracas, China’s central drug authority and the Ministry of Public Security urged that the doctor’s case and the wine itself be investigated. The doctor, Tan Qindong, was released on bail last Tuesday and is awaiting trial.

Hongmao Pharmaceutical said it would stop airing ads on television but did not mention the arrest of Tan — whose lawyer has asked that all criminal charges against his client be dropped. (Image: IC)