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Retail shops raided for suspected illegal sale and possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products and possession of unregistered pCms (with photo)
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     Three retail shops in Mong Kok area were raided today (January 16) in a joint operation by the Department of Health (DH) and the Police for suspected illegal sale and possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products and suspected possession of unregistered proprietary Chinese medicines (pCms).

     Acting on intelligence, the DH found various suspected unregistered pharmaceutical products and pCms being offered for sale by the three retail shops. The seized products include eyedrop, antacid, cold and flu medicine and pain killer, were labelled in Japanese. Preliminary information indicated that some were labelled as containing Part I poisons such as ibuprofen, dihydrocodeine and neostigmine; and some were labelled as containing herbal medicines. According to DH's record, they were not registered pharmaceutical products or pCms and Hong Kong registration numbers for pharmaceutical products or for pCms were not found on any of the product labels. Preliminary investigation has so far revealed that the products were sourced outside Hong Kong.

      During the operation, three women and two men aged between 19 to 60 were arrested by the Police for suspected illegal sale and possession of Part I poisons and unregistered pharmaceutical products, and suspected possession of unregistered pCms.

     The investigation is continuing.

     "Use of unregistered pharmaceutical products or pCms may pose health threats to people as their safety, efficacy and quality may not be guaranteed. In addition, inappropriate use of painkillers like ibuprofen without medical supervision may lead to gastrointestinal bleeding, and products with the ingredients dihydrocodeine and neostigmine may cause nausea and vomiting. Members of the public should not self-medicate without advice from health-care professionals," a DH spokesman said.

     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 sold legally in the market. Part I poisons should be sold at pharmacies under the supervision of registered pharmacists. Illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products and Part I poisons are criminal offences. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment. According to the Chinese Medicine Ordinance (Cap 549), no person shall sell, import or possess any pCm unless the pCm is registered. The maximum penalty involved is also a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.

     The spokesman strongly urged members of the public not to buy or use products of unknown or doubtful composition or from unknown sources.

     "People who have purchased the above products should consult health-care professionals for advice. 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," the spokesman said.

Ends/Thursday, January 16, 2014
Issued at HKT 20:39

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