Hong Kong Health Department Seizes 140 Boxes of Illegal Medicine, Arrests Two Men in Crackdown Operation

DH continues crackdown on illegal sale or possession of unregistered medicine

The Department of Health (DH) today (August 6) continued to conduct operations across multiple districts in Hong Kong to crack down on the illegal sale or possession of unregistered medicine, seizing more than 140 boxes of suspected unregistered medicine claimed to have pain-relieving effects. Most of the products were labelled in Japanese. Additionally, two men were arrested on suspicion of violating the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Chapter 138) (the Ordinance).

Following yesterday's unannounced inspections in various districts, including Tsim Sha Tsui, Causeway Bay, Sheung Shui and Yuen Long, DH officers conducted enforcement operations in Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok today. At three retail outlets, DH officers seized more than 140 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. Two men aged 36 and 40 were arrested by the Police on suspicion of contravention of drug-related offences, including illegal possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products and Part 1 Poisons etc.

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 purchase or consume products of doubtful composition, or from unknown sources, as their safety, quality and efficacy are not guaranteed. The DH has prepared some safety information for consumers regarding the purchase and use of medicines, namelyBe Cautious when Buying Medicines on Internet,General Knowledge on Registered Medicines,Be Cautious When Buying Medicines Overseas.

DH continues crackdown on illegal sale or possession of unregistered medicine Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH continues crackdown on illegal sale or possession of unregistered medicine Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Imported prepackaged black cod steak sample detected with methylmercury exceeding legal limit

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (August 6) that a sample of prepackaged black cod steak was detected with methylmercury, a metal contaminant, at a level exceeding the legal limit. The CFS is following up on the incident.

Product details are as follows:

Product name: U.S. Alaska Black Cod Steak

Brand: Alaska Seafood

Place of origin: United States

Net weight: 350 grams per pack

Vendor: (Not available in English)

Importer: Galleon International Limited

Best-before date: September 20, 2026

A spokesman for the CFS said, "The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from an online shop for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained methylmercury at a level of 0.8 milligram per kilogram, exceeding the legal limit of 0.5mg per kg."

The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop sales and remove from shelves the affected batch of the product. The importer concerned has initiated a recall according to the CFS's instructions. Members of the public may call the importer's hotline at 3643 0172 during office hours for enquiries about the recall. The CFS is also tracing the source of the product concerned.

"Methylmercury is the major form of mercury in fish. At high levels, mercury can affect foetal brain development, and affect vision, hearing, muscle co-ordination and memory in adults. Furthermore, as some international organisations such as the World Health Organization have pointed out, consuming predatory fish species is the main source of mercury intake for human beings. The report of the CFS's Total Diet Study has also pointed out that large fish or predatory fish species may contain high mercury levels (for example, tuna, alfonsino, shark, swordfish, marlin, orange roughy and king mackerel). Hence, groups particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of mercury, such as pregnant women, women planning a pregnancy and young children should opt for fish that are smaller in size for consumption and avoid consumption of the above-mentioned types of fish to minimise excessive exposure to metal contaminants in food," the spokesman added.

According to the Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations (Cap. 132V), any person who sells food with metallic contamination above the legal limit is liable upon conviction to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.

The CFS will alert the trade, and will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health. The investigation is ongoing.

Source: AI-found images