Press Release
Illegal supply of unregistered drugs
28 Nov 2011
Today (November 28), the Department of Health (DH) alerts clients of CHAN Kwok-wing of PCRC Chinese Medicine Clinic, a Chinese medicine practising group in MongKok that if they have been supplied with a type of green and another type of orange oral tablets, particularly for management of allergic conditions like eczema, they should stop taking them and consult healthcare professionals for advice as soon as possible.
This is because that the Government Laboratory has confirmed the detection of undeclared western medicines, betamethasone and chlorpheniramine, at therapeutic ranges in the tablets.
The incident comes to light as DH investigates into a complaint against Chan from a member of the public. The complainant reports that her seven-year-old girl develops weight gain, round face, excessive hair growth over the face, her limbs and the back - features compatible with steroid overdose after taking the above tablets supplied by Chan.
"It is said that the girl has been taking the drugs for some three months. Chlorpheniramine is found in the green tablet, and both betamethasone and chlorpheniramine are found in the orange sample obtained from the patient. In fact, Chan has given the girl two more types of tablets, a black and another yellow one. But, nothing else significant could be detected in the latter," a DH spokesman elaborates.
"Prolonged use, especially when it is in high dose, of betamethasone is notoriously known for causing Cushing Syndrome, with patients having all of the symptoms found in the above girl, plus signs like high blood pressure, high blood sugar, muscle atrophy, peptic ulcer and even osteoporosis. This is also why the drug, a potent form of steroid, requires doctor's prescription and can only be sold in a dispensary, under the supervision of a pharmacist," the spokesman remarks.
"As for chlorpheniramine, it is an over-the-counter western drug, commonly used for relieving allergic symptoms. The most well known hazardous side effect is drowsiness and therefore, its use ought to be made known to clients in order for them to take the necessary precautions," the spokesman continues to comment.
"In the present case, given that there is no record to show that Chan is either a registered medical practitioner or a pharmacist, that there is the suspicion that he may actually be practising Chinese medicine in a Chinese medicine practising group, DH staff is supporting the Police in raiding the Clinic which is still ongoing," the spokesman discloses.
"Information collected so far suggests that the two types of tablets have only been supplied to the index client. However, contact tracing and medical surveillance will be instituted as and when indicated," the spokesman stresses.
"Pending the final outcome of the investigation work of the Police and DH, we will seek advice from the Department of Justice regarding possible illegal practice of Chinese medicine, possession of unregistered drugs and Part 1 poison here. The maximum penalties are HK$200,000 and imprisonment for 7 years; and HK$100,000 and imprisonment for 2 years respectively," the spokesman concludes.
