The Department of Health (DH) and the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) yesterday (May 10) conducted a joint operation and raided two premises of AMH Medical Diagnostic Group located in Yau Ma Tei and Kwun Tong respectively.

     During the operation, the DH and the C&ED seized relevant evidence, including a small quantity of suspected unregistered pharmaceutical product, for further investigation. So far, no one was arrested. Investigation is ongoing.

     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 legally supplied in the market. Illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products and Part 1 poisons are criminal offences. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.

     "All registered pharmaceutical products should carry a Hong Kong registration number on the package in the format of "HK-XXXXX". The DH strongly urges members of the public not to buy or use unregistered pharmaceutical products as their safety, efficacy and quality are not guaranteed. People who have received the vaccines at the above premises should consult healthcare professionals if they are in doubt or feeling unwell after vaccination," a DH spokesman said.

     According to the C&ED, under the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap 60), import and export of pharmaceutical products not under and in accordance with a licence is an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years.

     Besides, no contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance has been discovered by now after preliminary investigation.

     The DH and the C&ED are continuing with their investigations, and appropriate action will be taken if there is sufficient evidence proving violation of the laws.

     In relation to the recent complaints about human papillomavirus vaccines, the DH is actively following up the cases, and may conduct joint operation with relevant law enforcement agencies if needed.

Ends/Saturday, May 11, 2019
Issued at HKT 16:08

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