Two retail shops selling baby products located in Aberdeen and Central were raided by the Department of Health (DH) and the Police in a joint operation today (January 11). The shops were found to be selling unregistered pharmaceutical products.
While investigating a complaint from a member of the public, the DH found various unregistered pharmaceutical products (see Annex) being displayed for sale by a baby products company, which has retail outlets in Aberdeen and Central. The unregistered pharmaceutical products found were mainly over-the-counter medicines that contain vitamins or are for the relief of minor ailments such as colic, cough and colds. "Nurofen For Children", "Nurofen for Children Singles", "Nurofen Gel" and "Calprofen", each containing ibuprofen, a Part I poison for fever and pain, were also found. A Hong Kong pharmaceutical product registration number was not found on any of the pharmaceutical product labels. Preliminary investigation so far has revealed that the suspected unregistered pharmaceutical products were sourced by the company from outside Hong Kong.
According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap 138), all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong (the Board) before they can be sold legally in the market. Part I poisons should be sold at pharmacies under the supervision of registered pharmacists. The 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.
The DH's investigation is continuing.
A DH spokesperson strongly urged members of the public not to buy or use unregistered pharmaceutical products from the market as such products have not been evaluated by the Board and their safety, quality and efficacy may not be guaranteed. Members of the public should consult health-care professionals for advice if they are in doubt or feeling unwell after using the concerned products.
All registered pharmaceutical products should carry a Hong Kong registration number on the package in the format of "HK-XXXXX". Members of the public who have bought the unregistered products with no registration number should stop using them immediately. They may submit them to the DH's Drug Office at Room 1801, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for disposal.
Reprinted from HKSAR Government web page:
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201301/11/P201301110496.htm