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A pharmacy in Tai Wai was raided today (June 3) in a joint operation by the Department of Health (DH) and the Police for suspected illegal sale of an antibiotic.
Through the DH's surveillance programme, the pharmacy was found to be selling an antibiotic without a doctor's prescription. During the operation, a 56-year-old salesman at the pharmacy was arrested.
The DH's investigation is continuing.
The antibiotic concerned is amoxicillin, which is used for the treatment of bacterial infections. The product can only be supplied at pharmacies under the supervision of a registered pharmacist upon the production of a doctor's prescription. It should only be used under the advice of a doctor.
According to the Antibiotics Ordinance (Cap 137), illegal sale of antibiotics without a doctor's prescription is a criminal offence. The maximum penalty is a fine of $30,000 and one year's imprisonment.
"Members of the public should only take antibiotics prescribed by a doctor and follow the health professionals' instructions. Inappropriate and irrational use of antibiotics provides favourable conditions for resistant microorganisms to emerge and spread," a DH spokesman said.
Ends/Monday, June 3, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:06
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