DH follows up seriously on false claims made by medical centres that a vaccine to prevent multiple cancers is available in Hong Kong and urges members of the public not to use unregistered pharmaceutical products
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The DH emphasised that the WT1 vaccine is not a registered pharmaceutical product in Hong Kong. Any advertisement claiming to provide this vaccine for cancer prevention constitutes a misleading claim. No person may illegally sell or possess unregistered pharmaceutical products. The DH takes this matter very seriously and will not tolerate such behaviour.
The DH received reports in July alleging that "HK Pacific Asia Medical Centre" and its affiliated organisations were claiming on social media to provide the WT1 vaccine. This was suspected of violating the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Chapter 138) (the Ordinance). The DH has carried out multiple unannounced inspections of the premises in question and today conducted further unannounced inspections of a total of seven premises across Hong Kong and Kowloon, including the "HK Pacific Asia Medical Centre". The DH has solemnly reminded the persons in charge of the premises concerned that providing any unregistered pharmaceutical products illegally constitutes an offence under the Ordinance, which is a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment. The DH will continue to closely monitor the premises in question and gather relevant intelligence, taking decisive enforcement action against any illegal or activities.
The DH reminded the public that the WT1 vaccine is not a registered pharmaceutical product in Hong Kong. Currently, no relevant registration records have been found with drug regulatory authorities in the Chinese Mainland or overseas. Advertisements claiming to provide this vaccine for cancer prevention are misleading and suspected of fraud. Furthermore, any healthcare professional who misleads patients into believing that the unregistered WT1 vaccine has cancer-preventing or anti-cancer effects is in serious breach of professional conduct, as this may cause patients to delay seeking medical treatment. Members of the public should not trust advertisements or rumours lightly. They should also refrain from receiving injections of unknown substances to avoid endangering their health or delaying medical treatment, which could worsen their condition. The DH has also notified the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department to follow up on cases where unregistered pharmaceutical products may have been illegally imported into Hong Kong.
Furthermore, as the case may involve the professional conduct of registered medical practitioners, the DH has referred it to the Medical Council of Hong Kong for follow-up.
On the other hand, the DH has reviewed the content of the advertisement placed by the companies in question and found that it was suspected of breaching the Undesirable Medical Advertisements Ordinance (UMAO) (Cap. 231). Hence, the DH has already issued warning letters to the relevant companies in accordance with established procedures and mechanisms, and has requested that the content of the relevant advertisements be removed or deleted. The DH has also notified the relevant law enforcement authorities in the Chinese Mainland to follow up on the matter, given the serious health risks to the public that may arise from the publication of these advertisements on social media platforms in the Chinese Mainland.
Under the Ordinance, any product that meets the definition of a "pharmaceutical product" must meet the criteria of safety, efficacy and quality and be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be sold in the market. Advanced therapy product, which include gene therapy products, somatic cell therapy products and tissue engineered products, are regulated as pharmaceutical products under the Ordinance. Any person who illegally sells or possesses unregistered pharmaceutical products commits an offence and shall be liable, upon conviction, to a maximum penalty of a fine of $100,000 and two-years' imprisonment.
Furthermore, import and export of pharmaceutical products are controlled under the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60). Any person who imports or exports pharmaceutical product without relevant licence commits an offence, and shall be liable, upon conviction, to a maximum penalty of a fine of $500,000 and two-years' imprisonment.
From 2021 to June 2026, the DH's Drug Office handled 138 cases involving convictions for the sale and/or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products. The maximum penalty was 10 months' imprisonment (total for all counts of offences) or a fine of up to HK$242,000 (the total fine for all counts of offences).
Under the Undesirable Medical Advertisements Ordinance (UMAO), no person may publish, or cause to be published, advertisements likely to lead to the use of any medicine, surgical appliance or treatment for treating or preventing the diseases or conditions specified in Schedules 1 and 2. Schedule 4 of the UMAO also prohibition/restriction on six groups of claims for orally consumed products, in order to prevent members of the public from seeking inappropriate methods to treat certain serious conditions or diseases, which could result in delayed treatment.
The DH reminded members of the public that, regarding any queries about the prevention and treatment of diseases (including cancers), they should first consult a registered doctor, who will provide professional advice based on individual health condition and the latest medical evidence. The public should not blindly trust unproven medical claims because protecting one's own health is of the utmost importance.
The DH has stepped up public education and awareness campaigns, issuing warning alerts to the public via social media platforms that the WT1 vaccine is not a registered pharmaceutical product in Hong Kong and should not be used indiscriminately. The DH will continue to closely monitor pharmaceutical products on the market, via both online and offline channels, in accordance with established mechanisms. The DH will also take appropriate follow-up action upon receiving intelligence or complaints. Members of the public are encouraged to provide relevant information to the DH by phone at 2961 8989 or by email (enquiries@dh.gov.hk). The DH will conduct joint operations with other law enforcement department as necessary, or refer the cases to the relevant department for follow-up.
Hong Kong's healthcare standards are internationally renowned. The DH will continue to follow up on this incident seriously. Anyone endangering public health under the pretext of cancer prevention will not be tolerated.
Ends/Monday, August 31, 2026
Issued at HKT 23:46
Issued at HKT 23:46
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