The Department of Health (DH) today (September 8) announced that actions have been taken to investigate Yan Hong Dispensary Limited at Upper Ground Floor, Metro City Phase II in Tseung Kwan O, for suspected illegal possession of an unregistered proprietary Chinese medicine (pCm) called Oleo de Alivio da Dor Cheong Kun.

     Acting upon intelligence, the DH conducted a field investigation on September 6 and seized the above unregistered pCm. Investigations revealed that the packing of the abovementioned product was similar to another locally registered pCm (registration number: HKP-01548) but the English product name was different from the registration record of the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong (CMCHK). In addition, the product is not bearing any Hong Kong pCm registration number and name of a registration holder on its label. Investigations are ongoing.

     According to section 119 of the Chinese Medicine Ordinance (Cap 549), no person shall sell, import or possess any pCm unless it is registered. The maximum penalty is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment. The DH will seek advice from the Department of Justice on prosecution matters upon completion of the investigation, and will refer the case to the CMCHK for consideration of possible disciplinary action.

     Members of the public who have purchased the above unregistered pCm should stop using it immediately. Those who have used it and are feeling unwell should seek advice from healthcare professionals. People who have the product can submit it to the Chinese Medicine Regulatory Office of the DH on 16/F, AIA Kowloon Tower, Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, during office hours for disposal.

     "The public should not buy or use products of doubtful composition or from unknown sources. All registered pCms should carry a Hong Kong registration number on the product label in the format of 'HKC-XXXXX' or 'HKP-XXXXX'. The list of registered pCms is published on the website of the CMCHK (www.cmchk.org.hk/pcm/eng/#main_listpcm.htm) for public reference," the spokesman added.

Ends/Friday, September 8, 2023
Issued at HKT 17:30

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