Health Department Cracks Down on Illegal Anti-Obesity Drug Sales in Hong Kong, Arrests Five Suspects.

DH clamps down on trafficking in dangerous drug and illegal sale or possession of unregistered anti-obesity medicine

In light of the fact that there are people illegally selling or possessing unregistered anti-obesity medicine that is Part 1 poison and prescription drug under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138), the Department of Health (DH) announced today (April 20) that it has stepped up inspection and enforcement efforts across Hong Kong in recent days. In collaboration with the Police, five men suspected of violating drug-related laws were arrested and a large quantity of unregistered drugs were seized. These included unregistered anti-obesity drugs labelled in Japanese as containing tirzepatide.

The DH carried out an enforcement operation with the Police last Friday (April 17) to search a registered pharmacy in Sha Tin District. Over 400 tablets of the dangerous drug clonazepam, 20 items of unregistered pharmaceutical products which included six boxes of anunregistered anti-obesity medicine labelled in Japanese as containing tirzepatide, and over 30 other items of controlled medicines, including over 2 700 tablets of zolpidem, were seized. During the operation, four men aged between 25 and 55 were arrested on suspicion of contravention of drug-related offences, including trafficking in a dangerous drug, illegal possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products, and failing to store Part 1 poisons in a locked receptacle, etc.

Earlier today, the DH carried out another enforcement operation with the Police against a registered pharmacy in Jordan, arresting a 36-year-old man. He is suspected of illegally selling an anti-obesity medicine (a Part 1 poison containing tirzepatide as indicated in Japanese on the product labels) and an unregistered pharmaceutical product, as well as failing to store Part 1 poisons in a locked receptable. The operation also resulted in the seizure of 13 boxes of unregistered anti-obesity medicine labelled in Japanese as containing tirzepatide.

The DH investigations continue.

Tirzepatide is used for the treatment of obesity, and its side effects include vomiting, nausea and diarrhoea. Medicines containing tirzepatide, zolpidem, and clonazepam are Part 1 poisons and prescription drugs under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance , should be used under a doctor's direction and must be supplied on the premises of a registered pharmacy under the supervision of a registered pharmacist upon a doctor's prescription. Furthermore, clonazepam is a dangerous drug regulated under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Cap. 134).

The DH emphasised that it has an established mechanism to monitor the sale of pharmaceutical products in the market (including the Internet). If the DH detects any suspected illegal sale or possession of pharmaceutical products, Part 1 poisons or dangerous drugs, the DH will promptly investigate, and, if necessary, refer the case to other law enforcement agencies to follow up, or conduct joint operations with other law enforcement agencies, and any irregularities so found will be dealt with in accordance with the law. Illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons and failing to store Part 1 poisons in locked receptacles are criminal offences under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138), which upon conviction, are subject to a fine of up to $100,000 and an imprisonment for two years. Furthermore, any person who traffics in a dangerous drug shall be liable upon conviction to a fine of $5,000,000 andimprisonment for life under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.

According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138), all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be legally sold in the market. The DH reminded 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.

The DH reminded the public that weight control should be achieved through a balanced diet and appropriate exercise. The public should consult healthcare professionals before consuming any medication for weight control. They may visit the website of the Drug Office of the DH for "Health message on overweight problem and slimming products" and "Slimming products with undeclared Western drug ingredients" for information.

DH clamps down on trafficking in dangerous drug and illegal sale or possession of unregistered anti-obesity medicine Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH clamps down on trafficking in dangerous drug and illegal sale or possession of unregistered anti-obesity medicine Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSARG Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments officially commence study programme

A delegation of Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government for a national affairs study officially commenced their programme today (April 20) at the National Academy of Governance (NAG) in Beijing to reinforce their understanding of the country's major policies and development strategies.

The Executive Vice President of NAG in charge of daily operations, Mr Xie Chuntao, gave a lecture to the participants on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. In addition, the Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments received a briefing on the National 15th Five-Year Plan to learn about the formulation objectives, processes, etc.

The Secretary for the Civil Service (SCS), Mrs Ingrid Yeung, called on Mr Xie in the morning. The Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Ms Shirley Lam, also attended.

Mrs Yeung expressed her gratitude to NAG for having long been giving strong support for the civil service training of the HKSAR Government. She said, "The civil service is a key part of the HKSAR governance system, shouldering the responsibility of implementing the 'one country, two systems' principle and supporting the administration of the HKSAR Government. This study programme, designed for the most senior officers in the civil service, is a valuable learning opportunity conducive to the understanding of the key national policies and the evolving global landscape, which will facilitate the formulation and implementation of policies and measures within respective bureaux in proactive alignment with the National 15th Five-Year Plan in the future."

She also noted that NAG has long been an important partner in the civil service training of the HKSAR Government. The Civil Service Bureau will continue to strengthen training for civil servants at all levels to ensure their accurate understanding of the constitutional order, national security and national policies, and enhance their national identity and patriotic spirit as well as awareness and sense of responsibility in proactively safeguarding national security.

Mrs Yeung yesterday (April 19) led a delegation of more than 20 Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments of the HKSAR Government to Beijing for the study and duty visit. This marks the second time since 2023 for Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments to study on the Mainland. The delegation will continue the programme in Beijing tomorrow (April 21).

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