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A retail shop in Yuen Long selling health products was raided by the Department of Health (DH) and the Police in a joint operation today (January 14). The shop was suspected to be selling unregistered pharmaceutical products.
Upon the investigation of a public complaint, the DH found various unregistered pharmaceutical products (see Attachment) being displayed for sale by a health products company in Yuen Long. The unregistered pharmaceutical products found were over-the-counter medicines labelled as containing vitamins, or glucosamine which is used for joint pain. Hong Kong pharmaceutical product registration numbers were not found on any of the pharmaceutical product labels. Preliminary investigation so far has revealed that the suspected unregistered pharmaceutical products were sourced by the company from outside Hong Kong.
In addition, the company's head office in Cheung Sha Wan was also raided. Similar unregistered pharmaceutical products were found.
According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap 138), all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be sold legally in the market. The sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products is a criminal offence. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.
The DH's investigation is continuing.
A DH spokesperson strongly urged members of the public not to buy or use unregistered pharmaceutical products from the market as such products have not been evaluated by the Board and their safety, quality and efficacy may not be guaranteed. Members of the public should consult health-care professionals for advice if they are in doubt or feeling unwell after using the products concerned.
All registered pharmaceutical products should carry a Hong Kong registration number on the package in the format of "HK-XXXXX". Members of the public who have bought the unregistered products with no registration number should stop using them immediately. They may submit them to the Drug Office of the DH at Room 1801, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for disposal.
Ends/Monday, January 14, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:05
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