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A 53-year-old man was today (March 30) arrested in a joint operation by the Police and the Department of Health (DH) in Mong Kok for the suspected illegal sale of two boxes of cold and flu medicine manufactured by Taisho Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd, which were unregistered pharmaceutical products.
The operation followed laboratory test findings revealing that the cold and flu medicine, which had been obtained earlier from an Internet auction website during DH's surveillance operation, was found to contain paracetamol.
Paracetamol is a Western medicine and is used for the management of pain and fever. Although the side effects are usually mild, high doses may result in liver damage.
According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (the Board) before they can be sold legally in the market. Sale of unregistered pharmaceutical product is offence under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance. The maximum penalty is a fine of $100,000 and two years imprisonment.
During the operation, the man was arrested by the Police for sale of unregistered pharmaceutical products.
DH investigation continues.
As unregistered pharmaceutical products have not been evaluated by the Board, their product safety, quality and efficacy may not be guaranteed. The spokesman exhorted members of the public not to sell or use products of unknown or doubtful composition from the market or the Internet. They should consult healthcare professionals for advice if they feel unwell after taking the product concerned.
"People should stop using the product immediately. They should submit them to the department's Drug Office at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon, during office hours for disposal," the spokesman said.
Ends/Friday, March 30, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:08
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