Skip to content


Home >> Press Release >> 2014

Press Release

DH raids hair treatment shop for sale of unregistered pharmaceutical product with undeclared drug ingredients

29 October 2014

The Department of Health (DH) today (October 29) raided a hair treatment shop in Yau Ma Tei in a joint operation with the Police for the suspected sale and possession of an unregistered pharmaceutical product containing undeclared Part I poisons.

Acting on a public complaint, a sample of a hair treatment product, namely Winfa, was purchased from the shop for analysis and was found to contain minoxidil, finasteride and dexamethasone upon testing by the Government Laboratory. A man aged 41 and a woman aged 24 were arrested for sale and possession of an unregistered pharmaceutical product and Part I poisons in the operation.

Minoxidil, finasteride and dexamethasone are Part I poisons. Minoxidil is commonly used topically for the treatment of hair loss, with side-effects including scalp irritation and itchiness. Finasteride is generally used orally also for the treatment of hair loss, with side-effects including loss of libido and erectile dysfunction. It should not be used in women who are or may become pregnant. Dexamethasone is a steroid with anti-inflammatory effects, and its side-effects include moon face, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, muscle atrophy, adrenal insufficiency and even osteoporosis.

The DH's investigation is continuing.

Products containing a combination of minoxidil, finasteride and dexamethasone are prescription medicines and must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong (the Board) before they can be legally sold in the market. They should be used under medical advice and can only be supplied in pharmacies under the supervision of a registered pharmacist upon a doctor's prescription. According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap 138), sale and possession of Part I poisons and unregistered pharmaceutical products are criminal offences and the maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.

"Members of the public should not 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. Unregistered pharmaceutical products have not been evaluated by the Board and their safety, quality and efficacy may not be guaranteed," a spokesman for the DH urged.

People who have purchased the above product should stop using it and consult healthcare professionals if they are in doubt or feel 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.



Last Revision Date : 29 Oct 2014