*******************************************************
A retail shop in Tai Po was raided today (June 6) in a joint operation by the Department of Health (DH) and the Police for suspected illegal possession of controlled medicines.
During the DH's market surveillance, a retail shop was found to be in possession of a number of controlled medicines, including Part I poisons (some of which are prescription medicines) and antibiotics. During the operation, a 43-year-old man was arrested by the Police for illegal possession of Part I poisons and antibiotics.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the controlled medicines found were all registered pharmaceutical products. However, the retail shop does not have any valid licence issued by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong to possess controlled medicines.
The DH's investigation is continuing.
According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap 138), illegal possession of Part I poison is a criminal offence, and the maximum penalty is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment. According to the Antibiotics Ordinance (Cap 137), illegal possession of antibiotics is also a criminal offence, and the maximum penalty is a fine of $30,000 and one year's imprisonment.
Ends/Thursday, June 6, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:53
NNNN
