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A 23-year-old man was arrested today (January 7) in a joint operation by the Police and the Department of Health (DH) in Mong Kok for illegal sale of an unregistered pharmaceutical product.
A complaint was received through the DH's surveillance programme alleging that an unregistered pharmaceutical product, namely NOW Glucosamine & Chondroitin with MSM, was offered for sale on an Internet auction site.
NOW Glucosamine & Chondroitin with MSM, labelled as containing glucosamine, is a pharmaceutical product not registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong. The glucosamine-containing product is an over-the-counter medicine used for joint pain.
During the operation, the man was arrested by the Police for sale of an unregistered pharmaceutical product.
According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap 138), all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Board before they can be sold legally in the market. Sale of unregistered pharmaceutical products is a criminal offence and the maximum penalty is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.
The DH's investigation is continuing.
A DH spokesperson strongly urged the public not to buy or use unregistered pharmaceutical products as these products have not been evaluated by the Board and their safety, quality and efficacy may not be guaranteed. In addition, people should not buy such products from the market or the Internet.
"People should stop using the product immediately. They should consult health-care professionals for advice if they are in doubt or feeling unwell after using it," the spokesperson continued.
The product can be submitted to the DH's Drug Office at Room 1801, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for disposal.
Ends/Monday, January 7, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:05
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