Department of Health Investigates WT1 Vaccine Sales in Hong Kong

DH follows up seriously on false claims made by medical centres that a vaccine to prevent multiple cancers is available in Hong Kong and urges members of the public not to use unregistered pharmaceutical products

In response to media reports today (August 31) that some medical centres were offering customers a vaccine called "Wilms' tumor 1" (WT1) which is claimed to prevent multiple types of cancer, the Department of Health (DH) is following up the matter seriously. This includes launching enforcement actions and notifying the Mainland authorities and relevant law enforcement department in Hong Kong.

The Department of Health, Photo source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The DH emphasised that the WT1 vaccine is not a registered pharmaceutical product in Hong Kong. Any advertisement claiming to provide this vaccine for cancer prevention constitutes a misleading claim. No person may illegally sell or possess unregistered pharmaceutical products. The DH takes this matter very seriously and will not tolerate such behaviour.

The DH received reports in July alleging that "HK Pacific Asia Medical Centre" and its affiliated organisations were claiming on social media to provide the WT1 vaccine. This was suspected of violating the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Chapter 138) (the Ordinance). The DH has carried out multiple unannounced inspections of the premises in question and today conducted further unannounced inspections of a total of seven premises across Hong Kong and Kowloon, including the "HK Pacific Asia Medical Centre". The DH has solemnly reminded the persons in charge of the premises concerned that providing any unregistered pharmaceutical products illegally constitutes an offence under the Ordinance, which is a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment. The DH will continue to closely monitor the premises in question and gather relevant intelligence, taking decisive enforcement action against any illegal or activities.

The poster of WT1 vaccine, Photo source: rednote

The DH reminded the public that the WT1 vaccine is not a registered pharmaceutical product in Hong Kong. Currently, no relevant registration records have been found with drug regulatory authorities in the Chinese Mainland or overseas. Advertisements claiming to provide this vaccine for cancer prevention are misleading and suspected of fraud. Furthermore, any healthcare professional who misleads patients into believing that the unregistered WT1 vaccine has cancer-preventing or anti-cancer effects is in serious breach of professional conduct, as this may cause patients to delay seeking medical treatment. Members of the public should not trust advertisements or rumours lightly. They should also refrain from receiving injections of unknown substances to avoid endangering their health or delaying medical treatment, which could worsen their condition. The DH has also notified the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department to follow up on cases where unregistered pharmaceutical products may have been illegally imported into Hong Kong.

Furthermore, as the case may involve the professional conduct of registered medical practitioners, the DH has referred it to the Medical Council of Hong Kong for follow-up.

On the other hand, the DH has reviewed the content of the advertisement placed by the companies in question and found that it was suspected of breaching the Undesirable Medical Advertisements Ordinance (UMAO) (Cap. 231). Hence, the DH has already issued warning letters to the relevant companies in accordance with established procedures and mechanisms, and has requested that the content of the relevant advertisements be removed or deleted. The DH has also notified the relevant law enforcement authorities in the Chinese Mainland to follow up on the matter, given the serious health risks to the public that may arise from the publication of these advertisements on social media platforms in the Chinese Mainland.

Under the Ordinance, any product that meets the definition of a "pharmaceutical product" must meet the criteria of safety, efficacy and quality and be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be sold in the market. Advanced therapy product, which include gene therapy products, somatic cell therapy products and tissue engineered products, are regulated as pharmaceutical products under the Ordinance. Any person who illegally sells or possesses unregistered pharmaceutical products commits an offence and shall be liable, upon conviction, to a maximum penalty of a fine of $100,000 and two-years' imprisonment.

WT1 vaccine, Photo source: rednote

Furthermore, import and export of pharmaceutical products are controlled under the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60). Any person who imports or exports pharmaceutical product without relevant licence commits an offence, and shall be liable, upon conviction, to a maximum penalty of a fine of $500,000 and two-years' imprisonment.

From 2021 to June 2026, the DH's Drug Office handled 138 cases involving convictions for the sale and/or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products. The maximum penalty was 10 months' imprisonment (total for all counts of offences) or a fine of up to HK$242,000 (the total fine for all counts of offences).

Under the Undesirable Medical Advertisements Ordinance (UMAO), no person may publish, or cause to be published, advertisements likely to lead to the use of any medicine, surgical appliance or treatment for treating or preventing the diseases or conditions specified in Schedules 1 and 2. Schedule 4 of the UMAO also prohibition/restriction on six groups of claims for orally consumed products, in order to prevent members of the public from seeking inappropriate methods to treat certain serious conditions or diseases, which could result in delayed treatment.

The DH reminded members of the public that, regarding any queries about the prevention and treatment of diseases (including cancers), they should first consult a registered doctor, who will provide professional advice based on individual health condition and the latest medical evidence. The public should not blindly trust unproven medical claims because protecting one's own health is of the utmost importance.

The DH has stepped up public education and awareness campaigns, issuing warning alerts to the public via social media platforms that the WT1 vaccine is not a registered pharmaceutical product in Hong Kong and should not be used indiscriminately. The DH will continue to closely monitor pharmaceutical products on the market, via both online and offline channels, in accordance with established mechanisms. The DH will also take appropriate follow-up action upon receiving intelligence or complaints. Members of the public are encouraged to provide relevant information to the DH by phone at 2961 8989 or by email (enquiries@dh.gov.hk). The DH will conduct joint operations with other law enforcement department as necessary, or refer the cases to the relevant department for follow-up.

Hong Kong's healthcare standards are internationally renowned. The DH will continue to follow up on this incident seriously. Anyone endangering public health under the pretext of cancer prevention will not be tolerated.

The poster of WT1 vaccine, Photo source: rednote

Occupational safety and health training courses open for applications

The Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre of the Labour Department (LD) will launch a wide range of occupational safety and health training courses from October to December in 2026. The courses aim to enhance the working population's awareness of occupational safety and health, as well as their understanding of the legal requirements and standards stipulated in occupational safety and health regulations.

The training courses cover a wide range of topics, namely:

1. Major Safety and Health Legislation related to Industrial Accident Prevention and Their Latest Amendments
2. Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Safety Management) Regulation and Safety Inspection Programme and Accident/Incident Investigation
3. Major Safety Legislation related to Accident Prevention on Work in Confined Spaces and other Safety Legislation related to Risk Assessment
4. Major Safety Legislation related to Accident Prevention in Logistics Industry (including Use of Tail Lifts) and the latest revised Guidance Notes on Prevention of Trapping Hazard of Tail Lifts
5. Major Safety Legislation related to Accident Prevention in Office Work (including Storage Work)
6. Major Safety Legislation related to Accident Prevention in Property Management Industry
7. Industrial Accident Cases Analysis and Related Safety Legislation and Major Safety and Health Legislation related to Employees'Duties
8. Safety Legislation for Working in times of Inclement Weather and Hot Environment
9. Major Safety Legislation related to Accident Prevention on Electrical Work on Construction Sites and Major Safety Legislation related to Accident Prevention on Demolition Work on Construction Sites
10. A Brief Introduction to Safety Legislation and Codes of Practice related to Construction Work (including Renovation, Maintenance, Alteration and Addition Works)
11. Major Safety Legislation related to Accident Prevention on Working at Height (including Truss-out Bamboo Scaffolds and Suspended Working Platforms) and Codes of Practice on Scaffolds and Suspended Working Platforms (including the latest revised Code of Practice for Bamboo Scaffolding Safety)
12. Major Safety Legislation related to Accident Prevention on Lifting Work (including Tower and Mobile Cranes) and Codes of Practice for Safe Use of Tower and Mobile Cranes
13. Major Safety Legislation related to Accident Prevention on Loadshifting Machinery Operations (including Excavator and Compactor) and Safe Use of Mobile Elevating Work Platform and the latest revised Guidance Notes on Safe Use of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (new course)
14. Legislation on Comprehensive Smoking Ban on Construction Sites and Major Safety Legislation and Codes of Practice related to Fire Safety (new course)
15. Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance and Regulation (with one class to be conducted in English)
16. Major Safety Legislation related to Accident Prevention in Catering Industry
17. Safety Legislation for Manual Handling Operations
18. Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Dangerous Substances) Legislation

Unless otherwise specified, the courses will mainly be conducted in Cantonese at the LD's Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre, 13/F, KOLOUR Tsuen Wan I, 68 Chung On Street, Tsuen Wan. Enrolment is free.

Employers who wish to arrange for their employees to attend the courses can log in to the application website (www.oshtc.labour.gov.hk/wpas/?lang=en) or scan the QR code (see Annex) to learn about the course content and sign up for the courses. Interested employees can also enrol in the courses through the abovementioned channels on their own. For enquiries, please call 2940 7057.

Source: AI-found images