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A spokesman for the Department of Health (DH) today (November 9) provided an update on the joint operation with the Police mounted in a beauty centre where two persons suspected of illegal possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products were arrested and one of them was also suspected of illegal medical practice. On November 5, the Police and DH jointly raided a premises on the 19/F, 613 Nathan Road. At the entrance of the premises, a company name "Medical Beauty Center" was displayed.
The spokesman said further investigation revealed that the 58-year-old man, Siu Ting Wing, presented himself as a doctor to a client and offered botulinum toxin injection to the client in the beauty centre.
Subsequent check with the Medical Council of Hong Kong confirmed that Mr Siu was not a registered medical practitioner in Hong Kong and he was arrested on site for suspected illegal practice of medicine.
Investigation also found the injection offered by him was suspected to be an unregistered pharmaceutical product. Subsequent search of the said premises also revealed the illegal possession of Part I poisons and antibiotics. Mr Siu and a 54-year-old woman, Cheng Wai Chun, were arrested for illegal possession of Part I poisons and antibiotics as well as unregistered pharmaceutical products.
The case is being investigated by the Police with professional assistance by the DH. The two arrested persons were on police bail pending further enquiries.
The spokesman reiterated that invasive procedures conducted at beauty centres such as injections of chemical substances or pharmaceutical products may carry risks such as bleeding, infection, scarring and nerve injury. These procedures require a client's informed choice and potential users are advised to discuss with their doctors about the benefits and risks of such procedures and the full details of the procedure before making a decision.
Ends/Friday, November 9, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:52
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