The Department of Health (DH) today (January 14) appealed to the public not to buy or use a facial mask named MYRTUS 8 MASK, which was found to contain an undeclared and controlled substance.
Acting upon a public enquiry, the DH found that the above facial mask has been offered for sale at two retail shops in Causeway Bay. Samples of the product were collected from the two shops for analysis. The Government Laboratory's test results revealed that the samples contained fluocinolone acetonide, a Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap 138).
Fluocinolone acetonide is a steroid substance. Products containing fluocinolone acetonide should only be sold at pharmacies under the supervision of registered pharmacists upon a doctor's prescription. Inappropriate or excessive application of steroids could cause skin problems and body-wide side effects like moon face, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, muscle atrophy, adrenal insufficiency and osteoporosis.
According to the Ordinance, illegal sale and possession of Part 1 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 ongoing.
People who have purchased the above product should stop using it and consult healthcare professionals if they are in doubt or feeling unwell after use. They can submit the product to the DH's Drug Office at Room 1856, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, during office hours for disposal.
Reposted from HKSAR Government webpage:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201901/14/P2019011400793.htm