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A retail shop in Tsim Sha Tsui was raided today (November 15) in a joint operation by the Department of Health (DH) and the Police for suspected illegal sale of unregistered pharmaceutical products with controlled drug ingredients.
Upon the investigation of a public complaint, the DH found various suspected unregistered pharmaceutical products being offered for sale by the retail shop. The products were labelled in Japanese as containing various Part I poisons including neostigmine, felbinac, dihydrocodeine, ibuprofen, fluocinolone and an antibiotic, neomycin. Hong Kong pharmaceutical product registration numbers were not found on any of the product labels. Preliminary investigation has so far revealed that the products were sourced by the company outside Hong Kong.
During the operation, a 36-year-old woman was arrested by the Police for suspected illegal sale and possession of Part I poisons, unregistered pharmaceutical products and an antibiotic.
The DH's investigation is continuing.
"Inappropriate use of steroids like fluocinolone may cause serious side effects, such as Cushing's Syndrome with symptoms including moon face and muscle atrophy, while inappropriate use of antibiotics may lead to antibiotics resistance. Taking painkillers such as felbinac and ibuprofen without medical supervision may lead to gastrointestinal bleeding. Products with the ingredients dihydrocodeine and neostigmine may cause nausea and vomiting. Members of the public should not self-medicate without advice from health-care professionals," a DH spokesman remarked.
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 market. Part I poisons should be sold at pharmacies under the supervision of registered pharmacists. Illegal sale or possession 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. According to the Antibiotics Ordinance (Cap 137), illegal sale or possession of antibiotics is a criminal offence as well. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $30,000 and one year's imprisonment.
The spokesman strongly urged members of the public not to buy or use products of unknown or 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". Unregistered pharmaceutical products have not been evaluated by the Board and their safety, quality and efficacy may not be guaranteed.
"People who have purchased the above products should consult health-care professionals for advice. They may submit the products 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," the spokesman said.
Ends/Friday, November 15, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:27
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