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A 26-year-old man was today (December 12) arrested in a joint operation by the Police and the Department of Health (DH) at Mei Foo, Kowloon for suspected illegal sale of one box of motion sickness pills, which is an unregistered pharmaceutical product.
Earlier on, through the DH's surveillance programme, information was received alleging an unregistered pharmaceutical product claimed for treating motion sickness is sold on the Internet. Investigation has revealed that the product has never been imported nor registered in Hong Kong. The product contained the ingredients scopolamine (Part I poison) and pheniramine (Part II poison).
During the operation, the man was found in possession of another box of the product. He was arrested by the police for sale and possession of unregistered pharmaceutical product and Part I poison.
Both scopolamine and pheniramine are used for the relief of motion sickness. Side effects include drowsiness and fatigue.
According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (the Board) before they can be sold legally in the market. Both scopolamine and pheniramine must not be sold on the Internet. Scopolamine is a Part I poison and must be sold at registered pharmacy by a registered pharmacist or under his or her supervision.
Here, contravention of the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance for sale and possession of unregistered pharmaceutical product and Part I poison might have occurred. The maximum penalty for each offence is $100,000 fine and two years' imprisonment.
DH investigation continues.
As unregistered pharmaceutical products have not been evaluated by the Board, their product safety, quality and efficacy may not be guaranteed. The spokesman exhorted members of the public not to sell or use products of unknown or doubtful composition from the market or the Internet. They should consult healthcare professionals for advice if they feel unwell after taking the concerned product.
"People should stop using the product immediately. They should submit them to the department's Drug Office at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon, during office hours for disposal," the spokesman said.
Ends/Monday, December 12, 2011
Issued at HKT 20:52
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