Skip to content

Press Release

Retail stall raided for suspected illegal sale of unregistered pharmaceutical products with undeclared ingredients

16 December 2014

A retail stall in Tin Shui Wai was raided today (December 16) in a joint operation by the Department of Health (DH) and the Police for suspected illegal sale and possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products that contain undeclared Part I poisons and antibiotics.

The DH was previously notified by the Hospital Authority of a 37-year-old male patient who was found to have deranged liver function after using a cream (no English name, see the product with black label in the photo) purchased from a retail stall. The patient attended Tsueng Kwan O Hospital but no admission was required. He has been in stable condition all along.

In the DH's investigation of the case, the concerned product together with other similar products found in a retail stall was purchased for analysis. Analytical results from the Government Laboratory revealed that two of the products, including the concerned product, (no English names, see photo), contain metronidazole, miconazole, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, chlorpheniramine and salicylic acid. In addition, the concerned product also contains griseofulvin, methyl salicylate and trace amount of dexamethasone and clobetasol.

Metronidazole, miconazole, dexamethasone and clobetasol are part I poisons whereas erythromycin, chloramphenicol and griseofulvin are antibiotics. Products containing dexamethasone, clobetasol, erythromycin, chloramphenicol and griseofulvin are prescription medicines which should only be used under the advice of a medical doctor and could only be supplied at pharmacies under the supervision of a registered pharmacist upon doctor's prescription.

During the operation today, a man aged 27 was arrested for suspected illegal sale and possession of Part I poisons, unregistered pharmaceutical products and antibiotics.

The investigation is continuing.

Erythromycin, chloramphenicol, metronidazole are used topically for treatment of various microbial infection of skin, side effects include pruritus and skin rash. Hepatotoxicity cases have also been reported. Symptoms of hepatotoxicity include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and yellow skin. Miconazole and griseofulvin are used for treatment of fungal infection of skin, side effects include local irritation and sensitivity reactions. Dexamethasone and clobetasol are steroids, side effects include moon face, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, muscle atrophy, adrenal insufficiency and even osteoporosis.

Methyl salicylate is used topically for the relief of musculoskeletal pain, side effects include skin irritation. Salicylic acid is applied topically in the treatment of skin conditions such as acne, side effects include dermatitis, and less commonly skin ulceration. Chorpheniramine is an antihistamine for the treatment of allergic reaction and its side effects include blurred vision and drowsiness.

According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap 138), illegal sale and possession of Part I poisons and unregistered pharmaceutical products are criminal offences. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment. In addition, the Antibiotics Ordinance (Cap 137) also prohibits illegal sale and possession of antibiotics. Offenders are liable to a maximum penalty of $30,000 fine and one year's imprisonment for each offence.

A DH spokesperson strongly urged members of the public not to buy products of unknown or doubtful composition, or use products from unknown sources. All registered pharmaceutical products should carry a Hong Kong registration number on the label in the format of "HK-XXXXX". Safety, quality and efficacy of unregistered pharmaceutical products are not guaranteed.

The DH has set up a hotline (2125 1133) for public enquiries related to the above two products. It will operate from 9am to 5pm tomorrow (December 17) onwards.

People who have purchased the above products should stop using them and consult health-care professionals if they are in doubt or feeling unwell after use. They can submit the products 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.

The unregistered pharmaceutical products that contain undeclared Part I poisons and antibiotics.

16 Dec 2014