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Retail shop raided for selling unregistered pharmaceutical products (with photo)
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     A retail shop in Central was raided today (April 23) in a joint operation by the Department of Health (DH) and the Police for suspected illegal sale and possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products.

     Upon the investigation of a public complaint, the DH found four unregistered pharmaceutical products, namely C 24/7 Natura-Ceuticals, Complete Phyto-energizer, Whitelight, and Perfect White, being offered for sale by a retail shop in Central. The unregistered pharmaceutical products found were all labelled as containing vitamins (over-the-counter medicines commonly used as nutritional supplements). Hong Kong pharmaceutical product registration numbers were not found on any of the product labels. Preliminary investigation so far has revealed that the products were sourced by the company outside Hong Kong.

     During the operation, two women aged 29 and 54 were arrested by the Police for illegal sale and possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products.

     The DH's investigation is continuing.

     According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap 138), all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong (the Board) before they can be legally sold in the market. The 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.

     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 consult healthcare professionals if they are in doubt or feeling unwell after using them. They may submit the products 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/Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:31

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