Hospital Authority concerned about incident of suspected sale of public hospital patient drugs on online shopping platform
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for the Hospital Authority (HA) made the following statement today (August 13) regarding a suspected incident of selling public hospital patient drugs on an online shopping platform:
The HA is very concerned about a suspected incident of selling public hospital patient drugs on an online shopping platform. The HA has initiated an investigation. If any illegal activity is found to be involved, the HA will pursue the matter seriously and report it to law enforcement agencies for further investigation.
The HA traced the source of the drug based on the online pictures and believed that the drug was prescribed by a doctor upon the discharge of a patient who was admitted to Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital in 2023. The HA has contacted the patient concerned to follow up on the incident.
The HA reminds members of the public that anyone who attempts to obtain drugs through improper means may be breaking the law. The spokesperson for the HA said, "The public should not buy drugs from unknown sources. Apart from the possibility of violating the law, the quality of the drugs is not guaranteed and may have adverse health effects."
The spokesperson said that the HA has strict procedures to handle and dispose of unused drugs, including those that have expired or have not been collected by patients, to prevent the relevant drugs from being used inappropriately. The drugs will be properly managed, and the storage records and distribution procedures are clear and certain. If anyone deliberately resells patients' drugs for profit, the HA will condemn such activities and take corresponding follow-up actions. The HA urges merchants selling drugs not to sell drugs from unknown sources. If there is any doubt about the source of drugs, they should report to relevant law enforcement and regulatory authorities.
The HA has always attached great importance to drug prescription arrangements and will continue to review and optimise relevant arrangements, including charging arrangements, to achieve the goals of reducing waste and rationalisation of resources.
Source: AI-generated images
DH continues to clamp down on illegal waterpipe smoking in no smoking areas during long weekend
The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) continued to clamp down on illegal waterpipe smoking in no smoking areas during the long weekend of the Ching Ming Festival holiday by conducting another enforcement operation, codenamed "Pipepurge", in Causeway Bay last night (April 4). A total of three fixed penalty notices (FPNs) were issued.
During the operation, officers from TACO (including plainclothes officers) carried out inspections and enforcement action at a bar in Causeway Bay, and issued three FPNs to persons illegally smoking waterpipes. TACO's investigation is ongoing, and prosecution may also be taken against the operators of the bar who are suspected of aiding and abetting smoking offences. TACO will also refer the cases to the Liquor Licensing Board for appropriate follow-up action.
Under the Ordinance, conducting a smoking act in a statutory no smoking area (such as indoor areas of bars or restaurants) is prohibited. Any person doing a smoking act in statutory no smoking areas is liable to a fixed penalty of $1,500. Moreover, where smoking products (including waterpipes) are sold, in bars or otherwise, the restrictions on the promotion and sale of smoking products stipulated in the Ordinance apply. Offenders are liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000. Venue managers of statutory no smoking areas are empowered by the Ordinance to request a smoking offender cease the act; if the offender is not co-operative, the manager may contact the Police for assistance.
In addition, under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance, any person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission by another person of any offence shall be guilty of the same offence.
"The DH will continue to closely monitor and take stringent enforcement action against illegal waterpipe smoking. Last year (2024), TACO conducted 162 operations against illegal waterpipe smoking activities in no smoking areas. A total of 162 FPNs were issued against smoking offenders, while 89 summonses were issued to staff members and operators of the bars/restaurants for other related offences," the Head of TACO, Dr Fung Ying said.
Dr Fung reminded the public that waterpipe is a smoking product, and its combustion of fuel (e.g. charcoal) releases carbon monoxide. Exposure to a low concentration of carbon monoxide can lead to a range of symptoms such as dizziness, headache, tiredness and nausea; whereas exposure to a high concentration of carbon monoxide can lead to impaired vision, disturbed co-ordination, unconsciousness, brain damage or even death. People should seek medical attention immediately if they suspect they are developing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
A typical one-hour waterpipe smoking session exposes the user to 100 to 200 times the volume of smoke inhaled from a single conventional cigarette. Moreover, sharing a waterpipe apparatus increases the risk of transmitting infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis.
She cautioned against waterpipe smoking and the use of other smoking products. Smokers should quit smoking as early as possible for their own health and that of others. For more information on the hazards of waterpipe smoking, please visit www.livetobaccofree.hk/pdfs/waterpipe_leaflet_new.pdf.
DH continues to clamp down on illegal waterpipe smoking in no smoking areas during long weekend Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
