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Press Release

Retail shop raided for illegal sale of unregistered pharmaceutical products with undeclared drug ingredients

29 September 2014

A retail shop in Sai Kung was raided today (September 29) 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.

Acting on a public complaint, samples of products were previously purchased from the retail shop for analysis. Analytical results from the Government Laboratory revealed that two products (namely Jin Tan and Xian Ren Bao) contained dexamethasone and chlorpheniramine. In addition, Xian Ren Bao also contained oxytetracycline, tetracycline, chloramphenicol and ibuprofen.

Dexamethasone and ibuprofen are Part I poisons and chorpheniramine is an antihistamine, whereas oxytetracycline, tetracycline and chloramphenicol are antibiotics. Products containing dexamethasone, oxytetracycline, tetracycline and chloramphenicol 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 a doctor's prescription.

During today's operation, two women, aged 52 and 53, were arrested for suspected illegal sale and possession of Part I poisons, unregistered pharmaceutical products and antibiotics.

The investigation is continuing.

Dexamethasone is a steroid, and its side effects include moon face, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, muscle atrophy, adrenal insufficiency and even osteoporosis. Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for the relief of pain and inflammation, and its side effects include gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, peptic ulcers and renal impairment. Chorpheniramine is an antihistamine for the treatment of allergic reaction, and its side effects include blurred vision and drowsiness.

Chloramphenicol, oxytetracycline and tetracycline are antibiotics for the treatment of various infections. Chlorampheniol is associated with serous haematological side effects when given systemically while both oxytetracycline and tetracycline may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and dysphagia.

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 a $30,000 fine and one year's imprisonment for each offence.

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

Members of the public who have purchased and consumed the above products should not stop the medication on their own and should consult health-care professionals for advice immediately. They may submit the products to the DH's Drug Office at Room 1856, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for disposal.



Last Revision Date : 29 Sep 2014