Press Release
Woman arrested for selling unregistered pharmaceutical product
30 Dec 2011
A 43-year-old woman was today (December 30) arrested in a joint operation by the Police and the Department of Health (DH) at Yaumatei for suspected illegal sale of one bottle of Careprost, which is an unregistered pharmaceutical product and Part I poison.
Through the department's surveillance programme on the Internet, DH noticed that Careprost, which claims to increase eyelashes growth, is sold on the Internet.
Careprost contains bimatoprost. As investigation revealed that Careprost is not registered in Hong Kong, the woman was arrested by the police through the joint operation conducted today for the sale of unregistered pharmaceutical product and Part I poison. The maximum penalty for each offence is $100,000 fine and two years' imprisonment.
Bimatoprost is a Part I poison and should only be sold through prescription at a pharmacy under pharmacist supervision. It is illegal to be sold on the Internet.
Bimatoprost is indicated for the treatment of open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension, as well as for the treatment of eyelashes hypotrichosis (a condition of inadequate amount of eyelashes). Side effects include eye irritation, inflammation of eyelids, cataract, redness of eye, and headaches.
DH investigation continues.
"As Careprost is not registered, its safety, quality and efficacy cannot be guaranteed. People should stop using the product immediately," said a DH spokesman.
The spokesman exhorted members of the public not to sell or use products of unknown or doubtful composition from the market or the Internet. They should consult healthcare professionals for advice if they feel unwell after using the concerned product.
They should submit them to the department's Drug Office at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon, during office hours for disposal.
"People should not use pharmaceutical products for cosmetic reason without the advice and supervision of healthcare professionals," the spokesman said.
