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A shop in Sham Shui Po was raided by the Department of Health (DH) and the Police in a joint operation today (January 21). The shop was found to be offering for sale of products with controlled drug ingredient.
Upon the investigation of a public complaint, the DH found a shop in Sham Shui Po selling a product named "Performa condom", which was labelled as containing a Part II poison, without any valid licence issued by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (the Board). The subsequent raid of the shop found another product, namely "Prolonger Desensitizing Spray", being displayed for sale. Prolonger Desensitizing Spray is a pharmaceutical product labelled as containing benzocaine, which is a Part I poison. A Hong Kong pharmaceutical product registration number was not found on the product label.
Benzocaine is commonly used as a local anaesthetic to relieve pain or to desensitise skin before minor operations. Common side effects include a hypersensitive reaction.
During the operation, a 28-year-old woman was arrested for the illegal sale of Part II poison, and illegal possession of Part I poison and 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. Part I poisons should be sold at pharmacies under the supervision of registered pharmacists. Part II poisons should be sold at listed sellers of poisons or pharmacies. Illegal possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products for sale or distribution, illegal possession of Part I poisons and illegal sale of Part II poisons are all criminal offences. 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 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. Members of the public should consult healthcare professionals for advice if they are in doubt or feeling unwell after using the product concerned.
The spokesperson also warned traders trading in substances, such as Poisons or pharmaceutical products, regulated under Cap 138 to obtain the appropriate licence before trading in the substances concerned to prevent contravention of the Law.
All registered pharmaceutical products should carry a Hong Kong registration number on the package in the format of "HK-XXXXX". People who have bought the unregistered product should stop using the product immediately. They may submit it 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 21, 2013
Issued at HKT 20:05
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