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The Department of Health (DH) today (February 13) urged the public not to buy or use a product (without English name, see photo) as it was found to contain an undeclared and controlled substance.
Acting on intelligence, the DH commenced investigation which found that the product was offered for sale on the Internet. A sample of the product was purchased for analysis by the Government Laboratory. Results showed that the sample contains a Part I poison sildenafil. The product's label did not bear a product name but a leaflet showing the name was provided with the product.
The product supplier, a company located in Mong Kok, was raided today in a joint operation by the DH and the Police. During the operation, two men aged 24 and 54 were arrested for suspected illegal sale and possession of Part I poison and unregistered pharmaceutical product.
The investigation is continuing.
Products containing sildenafil are prescription drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and should only be supplied at pharmacies under the supervision of a registered pharmacist and upon the production of a doctor's prescription. The side effects of sildenafil include low blood pressure, headache, vomiting, dizziness and transient vision disturbances. It may interact with some drugs (such as nitroglycerin for treatment of angina) and cause a decrease in blood pressure to dangerous levels. Improper use of sildenafil may pose serious health risks, especially for patients with heart problems.
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 sold legally in the market. Illegal sale and possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part I poisons 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 products of doubtful composition or from unknown sources. All registered pharmaceutical products should carry a Hong Kong registration number on the package in the format of "HK-XXXXX". Unregistered pharmaceutical products have not been evaluated by the Board and their safety, quality and efficacy could not be guaranteed.
Members of the public who have purchased the above product should stop taking it immediately and consult healthcare professionals for advice if they are in doubt or feeling unwell after using it. They may submit the product to the DH's Drug Office at Room 1856, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for disposal.
Ends/Thursday, February 13, 2014
Issued at HKT 20:34
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