Press Release

Caution of unregistered proprietary Chinese medicines

31 August 2012

The Department of Health (DH) today (August 31) urged the public not to buy or use 10 unregistered proprietary Chinese medicines (pCms) with details in Annex, which were sold at Shop 26 & 27, G/F, Ngau Chi Wan Market, Kowloon.

The appeal followed DH's investigation into an intelligence related to the above premises.

"Investigation so far revealed that the pCms were imported from the Mainland by the shopkeeper and were only sold in the above shop. All these pCms are not registered in Hong Kong and bear no records of import. DH has received no related adverse report so far. Investigation continues," a DH spokesman said.

"The shopkeeper was arrested by the Police for the suspected contravention of Section 119 of the Chinese Medicine Ordinance, Cap. 549, that no person shall sell, import or possess any pCm unless the pCm is registered. The maximum penalty is a HK$100,000 fine and two years' imprisonment. DH will work with the Department of Justice regarding possible prosecution on completion of investigation," the spokesman added.

The spokesman urged members of the public must stop using the said pCms immediately and surrender them to DH at 16/F, Two Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon. Also, if they feel unwell after using the pCms, they are advised to consult the healthcare professionals.

The list of registered pCm in Hong Kong can be viewed at this link:
This link will open in a new windowhttp://www.cmchk.org.hk/pcm/eng/idx_listpcmsearch.htm