Two persons arrested for suspected illegal Internet sale of product with undeclared controlled drug ingredient
The Department of Health (DH)'s investigation revealed the suspected illegal sale of a product containing undeclared controlled medicines via an instant messaging application and carried out an enforcement operation with the Police today (January 14). During the operation, a 27-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of illegal sale of Part 1 poisons andunregistered pharmaceutical products.
Following up on a public complaint, the DH purchased samples of a product named "The Goat Sublingual Strip" (see photo) via an instant messaging application for analysis. The label of the oral pills indicated it was a natural virility product. Test results from the Government Laboratory revealed that the samples contained sildenafil, which is a Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) (the Ordinance). The product is alsosuspected to be an unregistered pharmaceutical product.
The DH urged members of the public who have purchased the product concerned to stop consuming it immediately and reminded the public not to buy or consume products of doubtful composition or from unknown sources.
The DH reminded the public that selling medicines controlled under the Ordinance illegally, regardless of the sales channel (including instant messaging apps or social media), carries criminal liability. Do not risk breaking the law.
The DH will continue to investigate the incident and take appropriate follow-up actions.
Sildenafil is a prescription drug used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and should only be used under a doctor's advice and supplied in a pharmacy under the supervision of a registered pharmacist upon a doctor's prescription. Side effects of sildenafil include low blood pressure, headaches, vomiting, dizziness and transient vision disturbances. It may interact with some drugs (such as nitroglycerin for the treatment of angina) and cause a decrease in blood pressure to dangerous levels. Improper use of sildenafil may pose serious health risks, especially for patients with heart problems.
According to the Ordinance, all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be sold in the market. In addition, pharmaceutical products containing Part 1 poisons can only be sold at the registered premises of an Authorized Seller of Poisons (commonly known as "pharmacy") under the supervision of a registered pharmacist. If any contravention of the law is suspected, the DH will follow up and carry out enforcement action. After seeking advice from the Department of Justice, prosecutions against relevant persons may be initiated. The illegal sale of unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons is a criminal offences. The maximum penalty for each offence upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.
The DH remindedmembers of the public that all registered pharmaceutical products should carry a Hong Kong registration number on the package in the format of "HK-XXXXX". The safety, quality and efficacy of unregistered pharmaceutical products are not guaranteed.
Members of the public who have purchased the above products should stop consuming them immediately. They should consult healthcare professionals for advice if feeling unwell after consumption. The public may submit the products to the Drug Office of the DH at Room 1804-1806, 18/F, Wing On Kowloon Centre, 345 Nathan Road, Kowloon, during office hours for disposal.
The public may visit the DH's Drug Office webpage for health message on sexual dysfunction and virility products and virility products found to contain undeclared Western medicines.
Two persons arrested for suspected illegal Internet sale of product with undeclared controlled drug ingredient Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
New York ETO promotes Hong Kong's life sciences and health innovation in Philadelphia
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) hosted a business forum and spring reception on March 12 (Philadelphia time) in Philadelphia, one of the most significant life science clusters in the United States, to promote Hong Kong's expanding role as a global hub for health and life sciences innovation and to explore opportunities for cross-border collaboration. Over 130 business leaders, investors, and innovators from across Greater Philadelphia gathered to learn more about Hong Kong's role as an international life and health science hub.
As part of the Economic and Trade Express initiative, the business forum was co-organised by the New York ETO, Invest Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), strengthening efforts in trade and investment promotion, and reinforcing Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder".
In her welcome remarks, the Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho, highlighted Hong Kong's remarkable progress in life sciences and healthcare, emphasising the latest measures to propel Hong Kong's life sciences and health technology ecosystem through a multipronged approach.
She elaborated on Hong Kong's integrated development plan, including reforming the evaluation regime for drugs and medical devices, promoting the use of real-world data to facilitate clinical research, setting up dedicated institutes and academies for research and clinical trials at the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone in the Northern Metropolis, as well as dedicated efforts in attracting strategic enterprises, with a view to further strengthening Hong Kong's position as a leading health and innovation node.
Ms Ho added that Hong Kong's well-established financial ecosystem continues to play a pivotal role in supporting this growth. "Hong Kong ranks as the world's second-largest biotech fundraising hub, supporting a diverse range of innovative companies," she said.
The business forum featured two keynote presentations connecting life sciences and health innovation between Philadelphia and Hong Kong. In her keynote presentation, the Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Investment Promotion of the Invest Hong Kong in New York, Ms Yi Xie, highlighted Hong Kong as a launchpad for life sciences, showcasing its well- developed research and development infrastructure, robust intellectual property protection, and strategic gateway to the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area and Asia-Pacific markets. Meanwhile, the Director (New York & Midwest) of the HKTDC, Mr Curtis Louie, shared the range of support the HKTDC provides to Philadelphia companies, including matchmaking services for companies, and encouraged delegation participation in the upcoming Asia Summit on Global Health.
The presentations were then followed by a panel discussion moderated by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Science History Institute, Dr David Cole, featuring the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the ConSynance Therapeutics, Dr Liu Shuang; the Head of Global Business Development of the Jecho Laboratories, Dr Sarah Johnson; and the Director, Deal Advisory, US-China Corridor of KPMG, Mr Jon Hung. The speakers discussed collaboration, fundraising, clinical development, and market expansion in Asia.
On the same evening, Ms Ho hosted a spring reception for guests from the city's political, business, financial, and academic communities.
New York ETO promotes Hong Kong's life sciences and health innovation in Philadelphia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
New York ETO promotes Hong Kong's life sciences and health innovation in Philadelphia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
New York ETO promotes Hong Kong's life sciences and health innovation in Philadelphia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
New York ETO promotes Hong Kong's life sciences and health innovation in Philadelphia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
New York ETO promotes Hong Kong's life sciences and health innovation in Philadelphia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
New York ETO promotes Hong Kong's life sciences and health innovation in Philadelphia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
New York ETO promotes Hong Kong's life sciences and health innovation in Philadelphia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
New York ETO promotes Hong Kong's life sciences and health innovation in Philadelphia Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
