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A pharmacy in Tseung Kwan O was raided today (April 15) in a joint operation by the Department of Health (DH) and the Police for illegal sale of prescription medicine.
Through the DH's surveillance programme, the pharmacy was found to be selling a prescription medicine without a doctor's prescription.
During the operation, a 51-year-old salesman of the pharmacy was arrested by the Police. The DH's investigation is continuing.
The prescription medicine concerned contains prednisolone. It should only be sold at pharmacies under the supervision of a registered pharmacist upon a doctor's prescription. According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap 138), illegal sale of prescription medicine is a criminal offence. The maximum penalty is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.
Prednisolone is a steroidal medicine commonly used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Side effects include gastrointestinal discomfort, osteoporosis and Cushing's syndrome.
A DH spokesman urged members of the public not to use prescription medicines on their own without advice from a doctor. Self-medication could affect treatment results and cause harmful side effects.
Ends/Monday, April 15, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:36
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