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A 33-year-old man was today (August 1) arrested in a joint operation by the Police and the Department of Health (DH) in Jordan for suspected illegal sale of an unregistered pharmaceutical product called Men's Rogaine Topical Aerosol.
Earlier on, upon the investigation of a complaint against a product, Men's Rogaine Topical Aerosol, offered for sale on the Internet, the product label indicated that it contains a pharmaceutical product, minoxidil, as an ingredient.
Men's Rogaine Topical Aerosol is not a pharmaceutical product registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board. The product contains minoxidil, which is also a Part I poison and should be sold at a pharmacy under the supervision of a registered pharmacist.
Minoxidil is commonly used for hair loss treatment. The side effects include scalp irritation and itchiness.
During the operation, the man was arrested by the Police for suspected illegal sale of an unregistered pharmaceutical product and illegal sale of a Part I poison.
The DH's investigation is continuing.
According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, sale and possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products and Part I poisons are offences. The maximum penalty is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment for each offence.
As an unregistered pharmaceutical product has not been evaluated by the Board, its safety, quality and efficacy may not be guaranteed. The spokesman urged members of the public not to buy or use products of unknown or doubtful composition from the market or the Internet. They should consult health-care professionals for advice if they feel unwell after using the product concerned.
"People should stop using such products 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/Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:13
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