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A 29 year-old woman was today (August 8) arrested in a joint operation by the Police and the Department of Health (DH) at Tsim Sha Tsui for suspected illegal sale of unregistered pharmaceutical product called Rapid and Clean Cream – SM Cream.
Earlier on, upon the investigation of a complaint against a product, Rapid and Clean Cream – SM Cream, offered for sale on Internet. The product label indicated that it contained an ingredient of pharmaceutical product, lignocaine.
Rapid and Clean Cream – SM Cream is not a pharmaceutical product registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board. According to the product label, the product contains an ingredient of pharmaceutical product, 9.6% lignocaine, which is also a Part I poison and should be sold at pharmacy under the supervision of registered pharmacist.
Cream containing lignocaine is commonly used as a local anaesthetic to relieve pain caused by cuts and burns, abrasions and minor procedures. Common side effect includes hypersensitivity reaction.
During the operation, the woman was arrested by the police for suspected illegal sale of unregistered pharmaceutical product and illegal sale of Part I poisons.
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 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 the 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 8, 2012
Issued at HKT 21:00
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