The Department of Health (DH) today (October 14) appealed to the public not to buy or use a topical product named "LAB LUMINUS ANTI-SENSITIVE SERUM" as it was found to contain an undeclared controlled drug ingredient.
      
     Acting upon a public complaint, a sample of the above product was collected by the DH from a shop in Central for analysis. The test result from the Government Laboratory revealed that the product sample contained betamethasone valerate, a Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138). The product is also suspected to be an unregistered pharmaceutical product.
      
     The DH today conducted an operation against the shop, and seized a quantity of suspected Part 1 poisons and unregistered pharmaceutical products. The DH's investigation is continuing.
       
     Betamethasone valerate is a steroid substance for treating inflammation. Its side effects include moon face, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, skin atrophy, adrenal insufficiency and osteoporosis. Products containing betamethasone valerate are prescription medicines that should be used under a doctor's directions and supplied in a pharmacy under the supervision of a registered pharmacist upon a doctor's prescription.
      
     According to the Ordinance, all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be sold in the market. Illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons are criminal offences. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.
          
     The 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". The safety, quality and efficacy of unregistered pharmaceutical products are not guaranteed.
      
     People who have purchased the product concerned should stop using it immediately and consult healthcare professionals if in doubt or feeling unwell after use. They may submit the product to the Drug Office of the DH at Room 1801, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for disposal.

Ends/Friday, October 14, 2022
Issued at HKT 17:30

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