DH cracks down on illegal sale or possession of unregistered medicine
The Department of Health (DH) today (August 5) conducted operations across multiple districts in Hong Kong to crack down on the illegal sale or possession of unregistered medicine, seizing approximately 100 boxes of suspected unregistered medicine claimed to have pain-relieving effects. Most of the products were labelled in Japanese. Additionally, a man was arrested on suspicion of violating the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Chapter 138) (the Ordinance).
The DH received a report that pain relief medicine classified as Part 1 poisons under the Ordinance were being sold or possessed on the market. However, the products were labelled in Japanese and were suspected of not being registered in Hong Kong. Hence, the DH officers today conducted unannounced inspections in various districts, including Tsim Sha Tsui, Causeway Bay, Sheung Shui and Yuen Long. At an Authorized Seller of Poisons (ASP), commonly known as a pharmacy, a Listed Seller of Poisons (LSP) commonly known as a medicine company and two retail outlets, DH officers seized approximately 100 boxes of suspected unregistered medicine claimed to have pain-relieving effects. Most of the products were labelled in Japanese and did not bear a Hong Kong pharmaceutical product Registration Number. They are suspected to be medicine containing "Ibuprofen" and "dihydrocodeine". A 38-year-old man was arrested by the police on suspicion of contravention of drug-related offences, including, illegal possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products and Part 1 Poisons.
The DH will continue to investigate and follow-up on the case, and will prosecute other individuals involved in the case when sufficient evidence is available.
Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain killer and its side effects include nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort and peptic ulcers. Dihydrocodeine is an opioid analgesic used as a cough suppressant and for pain relief, and its side effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation and drowsiness. Medicines containing Ibuprofen and dihydrocodeine are Part 1 poisons and should only be supplied by a pharmacy under the supervision of a registered pharmacist or upon the advice of a medical practitioner.
The DH 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 or Part 1 poisons, 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 are criminal offences under the Ordinance, which upon conviction, are subject to a fine of up to $100,000 and an imprisonment for two years.
According to the Ordinance, 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 strongly urged members of the public to consult healthcare professionals before consuming any medication. Do not self-purchase or consume products of doubtful composition or from unknown sources as their safety, quality and efficacy are unguaranteed. The DH has prepared some safety information for consumers regarding the purchase and use of medicines, namely Be Cautious when Buying Medicines on Internet, General Knowledge on Registered Medicines, Be Cautious When Buying Medicines Overseas.
The Department of Health today (August 5) conducted operations across multiple districts in Hong Kong to crack down on the illegal sale or possession of unregistered medicine, seizing approximately 100 boxes of suspected unregistered medicine claimed to have pain-relieving effects. Most of the products were labelled in Japanese. Additionally, a man was arrested on suspicion of violating the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Chapter 138). Photo shows the suspected unregistered medicine seized during the operation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Department of Health today (August 5) conducted operations across multiple districts in Hong Kong to crack down on the illegal sale or possession of unregistered medicine, seizing approximately 100 boxes of suspected unregistered medicine claimed to have pain-relieving effects. Most of the products were labelled in Japanese. Additionally, a man was arrested on suspicion of violating the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Chapter 138). Photo shows the suspected unregistered medicine seized during the operation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Secretary for Health visits Kai Tak Hospital
The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, and the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan, visited the soon-to-open Kai Tak Hospital (KTH) today (August 6) to learn about the facilities of the new hospital, as well as the preparatory work and service arrangements for its first-phase operation.
Accompanied by the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority (HA), Dr Libby Lee; the Director of Cluster Services of the HA, Dr Wong Yiu-chung; and the Cluster Chief Executive of Kowloon Central Cluster and Hospital Chief Executive of KTH, Dr Eric Cheung, Professor Lo and Dr Fan visited various facilities in the hospital's Specialist Out-patient Clinic Block and the Oncology Block. These facilities will commence operations in the first phase, covering the Family Medicine Integrated Centre (FMIC), Specialist Out-patient Clinics, the Oncology Day Centre, as well as the Patient Resource Centre, and the visitors were briefed on the relevant services.
Professor Lo said, "KTH will replace Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) as the flagship hospital of the Kowloon Central Cluster, with services covering Yau Tsim Mong, Kowloon City, Wong Tai Sin and Kwun Tong districts, serving a population of more than 1.8 million. It will become a future healthcare hub in Kowloon, collaborating with other hospitals in the region to further optimise the overall healthcare services in Kowloon. Furthermore, KTH will provide clinical support to the adjacent Hong Kong Children's Hospital, further strengthening the latter's role as a tertiary Centre of Excellence in Paediatrics."
KTH has a total gross floor area of 500 000 square metres with 2 400 beds. KTH will become the largest public hospital in Hong Kong upon full commissioning. The hospital will commence services in two phases, gradually absorbing majority of the clinical services from QEH. The first phase of services including the FMIC will commence in October this year. Specialist out-patient services of the Departments of Medicine, Surgery, Neurosurgery, Family Medicine, and Oncology (for selected existing patients), as well as allied health services and the services of the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiotherapy, will also be progressively relocated to the new hospital.
Professor Lo said, "Scheduled to commence services on October 5, the FMIC of KTH will be the first clinical project to be launched at the hospital. It will provide extra family medicine consultation quotas, thereby enhancing diagnosis and treatment for patients suffering from chronic and episodic diseases. The FMIC will also provide multidisciplinary care, allied health services, chronic disease prevention and management, patient education, and other supporting services, further strengthening primary healthcare services in Kowloon District."
Professor Lo and Dr Fan also inspected the construction works of the second phase of KTH. The construction progress of the remaining three blocks, namely the Acute Block, the Administration Block, and the Education and Training Block, is on schedule. It is expected that other clinical services, including the Accident and Emergency Department, in-patient and surgery services, will commence in 2028.
To ensure that patients' consultations and treatment remain unaffected during the service relocation period, KTH has established a dedicated team to handle patients' appointment arrangements. In addition to proactively notifying patients by phone, the hospital will send SMS notifications containing the latest consultation location and other relevant details to patients, and mail the updated appointment slips to patients' registered addresses. The HA mobile application "HA Go" will also issue push notifications to remind patients of relevant consultation information three weeks and one day prior to their scheduled appointment date.
For enquiries, members of the public can call the KTH Hotline at 3506 5188. The hotline operates from 10am to 7pm on Mondays to Fridays, and 10am to 2pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, visited the soon-to-open Kai Tak Hospital (KTH) today (August 6) to learn about the facilities of the new hospital, as well as the preparatory work and service arrangements for its first-phase operation. Photo shows Professor Lo (centre); the Permanent Secretary for Health, Mr Thomas Chan (fourth left); the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan (fourth right); the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority (HA), Dr Libby Lee (third right); the Director of Cluster Services of the HA, Dr Wong Yiu-chung (second right); the Cluster Chief Executive of Kowloon Central Cluster and Hospital Chief Executive of KTH, Dr Eric Cheung (first right), and other attendees. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau (first right), and the Permanent Secretary for Health, Mr Thomas Chan (second right), visit the soon-to-open Kai Tak Hospital (KTH) today (August 6) to learn about the facilities of the new hospital, as well as the preparatory work and service arrangements for its first-phase operation. Looking on are the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Libby Lee (third left), as well as the Cluster Chief Executive of Kowloon Central Cluster and Hospital Chief Executive of KTH, Dr Eric Cheung (third right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, visited the soon-to-open Kai Tak Hospital (KTH) today (August 6) to learn about the facilities of the new hospital, as well as the preparatory work and service arrangements for its first-phase operation. Photo shows Professor Lo (second right); the Permanent Secretary for Health, Mr Thomas Chan (first left); and the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan (third right), listening to an introduction by a hospital staff member on a pharmacy at the Specialist Out-patient Clinic Block. Looking on are the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Libby Lee (second left), as well as the Cluster Chief Executive of Kowloon Central Cluster and Hospital Chief Executive of KTH, Dr Eric Cheung (first right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, visited the soon-to-open Kai Tak Hospital (KTH) today (August 6) to learn about the facilities of the new hospital, as well as the preparatory work and service arrangements for its first-phase operation. Photo shows Professor Lo (front row, second left); the Permanent Secretary for Health, Mr Thomas Chan (back row, second right); and the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan (front row, second right), listening to an introduction by the Cluster Chief Executive of Kowloon Central Cluster and Hospital Chief Executive of KTH, Dr Eric Cheung (back row, third right), on the Blood Taking Station at the Specialist Out-patient Clinic Block. Looking on are the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority (HA), Dr Libby Lee (first row, first right), and the Director of Cluster Services of the HA, Dr Wong Yiu-chung (back row, first right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, visited the soon-to-open Kai Tak Hospital (KTH) today (August 6) to learn about the facilities of the new hospital, as well as the preparatory work and service arrangements for its first-phase operation. Photo shows Professor Lo (fifth right); the Permanent Secretary for Health, Mr Thomas Chan (seventh right); and the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan (third right), inspecting the ground floor lobby of the Specialist Out-patient Clinic Block to understand the real-time bus tracking information provided by the hospital. Also accompanying are the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority (HA), Dr Libby Lee (fourth right); the Director of Cluster Services of the HA, Dr Wong Yiu-chung (sixth right); and the Cluster Chief Executive of Kowloon Central Cluster and Hospital Chief Executive of KTH, Dr Eric Cheung (second right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
