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A retail shop in Tsuen Wan was raided by the Department of Health (DH) and the Police in a joint operation today (April 15) for suspected illegal possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products.
Upon the investigation of a public complaint, the DH found that a retail shop in Tsuen Wan was in possession of various unregistered pharmaceutical products (see Attachment). The unregistered pharmaceutical products found were all over-the-counter medicines labelled as containing glucosamine, which is used for joint pain. Hong Kong pharmaceutical product registration numbers were not found on the product labels. Preliminary investigation so far has revealed that the suspected unregistered pharmaceutical products were sourced by the company outside Hong Kong.
In addition, the company's main shop in Tsim Sha Tsui was also raided and similar unregistered pharmaceutical products were found.
During the operation, a 47-year-old man was arrested for illegal possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products for the purpose of sale.
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 legally sold in the market. Sale and possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products are 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 spokesman 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 are not guaranteed. All registered pharmaceutical products should carry a Hong Kong registration number on the package in the format "HK-XXXXX".
Members of the public who have bought the above products should stop taking them immediately, and should consult health-care professionals if they are in doubt or feeling unwell after using the products concerned. They may submit them to the Drug Office of the DH at Room 1856, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for disposal.
Ends/Monday, April 15, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:20
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