Woman arrested on suspicion of illegal sale and possession of topical product with undeclared controlled drug ingredients
The Department of Health (DH) today (July 31) carried out an enforcement operation with the Police against the suspected illegal sale of a topical product containing undeclared controlled medicines (see photo) at a beauty parlour in Causeway Bay. During the operation, a 40-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of the illegal sale and possession of Part 1 poisons and an unregistered pharmaceutical product.
Acting on a complaint, the DH earlier purchased a sample of the product labelled "Dermasa" from a beauty parlour on Hysan Avenue in Causeway Bay for analysis. Test results from the Government Laboratory revealed that the product sample contained prilocaine, as well as lignocaine and tetracaine, which are Part 1 poisons under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) (the Ordinance). The product is also suspected to be an unregistered pharmaceutical product.
The DH urged members of the public who have purchased the product concerned to stop using it immediately, and reminded the public not to buy or use products of doubtful composition or from unknown sources. The DH will continue to investigate the incident and take appropriate follow-up actions.
Lignocaine, tetracaine and prilocaine are local anaesthetics which are used topically to relieve pain. Common side effects are hypersensitivity reactions.
Topical products containing the combination of lignocaine, tetracaine and prilocaine are prescription medicines and should be used under a doctor's directions and be supplied on the premises of an Authorized Seller of Poisons (i.e. a pharmacy) under the supervision of a registered pharmacist upon a doctor's prescription.
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. Illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons are criminal offences. The maximum penalty on conviction of each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.
The DH reminded members 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.
People who have purchased the product concerned should stop using it immediately and consult healthcare professionals if in doubt or if they are feeling unwell after use. They may submit the product to the Drug Office of the DH at Room 4105, 41/F, Revenue Tower, 5 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, during office hours for disposal.
Source: AI-found images
Woman arrested on suspicion of illegal sale and possession of topical product with undeclared controlled drug ingredients Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Source: AI-found images
Update on mosquito-borne diseases, dengue fever and chikungunya fever
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 31) announced the latest situation regarding dengue fever (DF) and chikungunya fever (CF). High temperatures and rainfall in summer are favourable for mosquito breeding, members of the public are reminded to take appropriate measures to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding, both in Hong Kong and when travelling to areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases, in order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.
Dengue fever
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From July 24 to yesterday (July 30), the CHP recorded one imported DF case. The patient had travelled to the Philippines during the incubation period.
Hong Kong has recorded 27 DF cases so far this year, comprising 25 imported cases and two local cases. A total of 59 DF cases were recorded last year (2025), all of which were imported cases. In 2024, 161 DF cases were recorded, comprising 156 imported cases and five local cases.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global incidence of DF has markedly increased over the past two decades, posing a substantial public health challenge. In 2024, the WHO recorded over 14 million DF cases, which was a record number. In 2025, over five million cases and over 4 000 DF-related deaths were reported in over 90 countries/territories. From January to June 2026, around 1.6 million cases and over 700 DF-related deaths have been reported in 89 countries/territories. On a global level, 2026 is reporting relatively fewer cases compared to the same period of 2024, but some countries (such as Sri Lanka and Cambodia) are experiencing large outbreaks this year.
DF is prevalent in many neighbouring tourist destinations. So far this year, Indonesia and Sri Lanka each recorded over 50 000 cases; Malaysia, India and Vietnam each recorded over 20 000 cases; and Singapore recorded over 1 500 cases. Meanwhile, according to the Guangdong Provincial Disease Control and Prevention Administration, Guangdong Province has recorded over 3 500 local cases in 2025. In 2026, as of June 30, Guangdong Province has recorded 30 local cases.
Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong, as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas, has been uploaded to the CHP's website.
Chikungunya fever
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From July 24 to yesterday, no new cases of CF had been recorded. Hong Kong has recorded two confirmed CF cases so far this year, both of which were imported cases. Hong Kong recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases and the rest were imported cases.
According to the WHO, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths were reported in 41 countries/territories last year. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe. According to the Guangdong Provincial Disease Control and Prevention Administration, in 2026, as of June 30, Guangdong Province has recorded 76 local cases.
Preventive measures to be taken by the public
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The CHP reminds members of the public to maintain good environmental hygiene, and to take appropriate measures to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding, both in Hong Kong and when travelling to areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases, in order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases. Mosquito-borne diseases such as DF and CF are endemic in various countries worldwide. The risk of importation persists. Members of the public should check the situation at their destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries. Additionally, whether travelling or not, members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:
- read the label instructions carefully first;
- apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;
- apply on exposed skin and clothing;
- use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic, and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);
- apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;
- reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and
- in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of the CHP and the Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, and the CHP Facebook Page, Instagram Account and YouTube Channel, and also the Mosquito Prevention and Control dedicated page of the FEHD.
Source: AI-found images
