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A 26-year-old woman was arrested today (January 3) in a joint operation by the Police and the Department of Health (DH) in Cheung Sha Wan for illegal sale of Diane 35, a medicine containing Part I poisons.
During the DH's surveillance programme, it was found that the above product was offered for sale on an Internet auction site.
Diane 35, containing cyproterone and ethinylestradiol (both Part I poisons), is indicated for the treatment of severe acne caused by excessive androgen in women. The product is a prescription drug which should only be used under the direction of a medical practitioner and can be sold at a pharmacy under the supervision of a registered pharmacist with a doctor's prescription.
During the operation, the woman was arrested by the Police for the illegal sale of Part I poison.
The DH's investigation is continuing.
According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap 138), illegal sale of Part I poison is a criminal offence and the maximum penalty is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.
A DH spokesperson urged members of the public not to buy or use products from unknown or doubtful sources in the market or on the Internet.
"Members of the public who are in doubt should seek advice from health-care professionals," the spokesman added.
Ends/Thursday, January 3, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:19
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