7 May 2009
The Department of Health (DH) today (May 7) instructed Hitpharm Pharmaceutical Co Ltd (Hitpharm), a licensed pharmaceutical wholesaler, to recall products which have been sold in unapproved packages.
During investigations conducted yesterday and today, Hitpharm was found to have sold 46 pharmaceutical products (annex) in unapproved sales packages with unapproved label information, a DH spokesman said.
He said a registered pharmaceutical product had to be sold in its approved package with the approved label information.
"The sale of a registered product in an unapproved package is tantamount to the sale of an unregistered pharmaceutical product," he said.
The products were supplied to private doctors and medicines retailers.
Doctors and retailers are reminded to stop administering or supplying the products to their clients.
Members of the public are advised to stop using the products and to seek medical attention if they feel unwell.
The company has set up a hotline (2111 3862) for public enquiries.
DH's investigation is on-going.
The spokesman said sale of unregistered pharmaceutical product was an offence under the Pharmacy and Poison Ordinance. Upon conviction, the maximum penalty is a fine of HK$100,000 and 2 years' imprisonment.