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A retail shop in Kwun Tong was raided today (June 24) in a joint operation by the Department of Health (DH) and the Police for suspected illegal possession of Part I poisons and unregistered pharmaceutical products.
Acting upon intelligence, the DH found two suspected unregistered pharmaceutical products being displayed for sale by the retail shop. The two products were called "Baby Teething Gel", containing a Part I poison benzocaine, and "Triple Flex Caplets", containing glucosamine. Hong Kong pharmaceutical product registration numbers were not found on any of the product labels. During the operation, the Police arrested a woman aged 39 for suspected illegal possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products and Part I poison.
The DH's investigation is continuing.
"Benzocaine is a local anaesthetic for the relief of pain and itching. It may cause side effects such as hypersensitive reactions and methemoglobinemia. The product should only be sold at pharmacies under the supervision of registered pharmacists. Glucosamine is an over-the-counter medicine used for joint problems," 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 marketplace. Illegal possession or sale 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.
The spokesman strongly urged members of the public not to buy or use unregistered pharmaceutical products. All registered pharmaceutical products should carry a Hong Kong registration number on the package in the format of "HK-XXXXX". Unregistered products have not been evaluated by the Board and their safety, quality and efficacy are not guaranteed.
Members of the public should not self-medicate without seeking advice from health-care professionals. People who have purchased the above products should stop using the products. They may submit them 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, June 24, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:05
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