Department of Health Enhances Inspections of Pharmacies Ahead of Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day Holidays

DH steps up enforcement actions against illegal use of pharmacy logo and title ahead of festivities to safeguard public health

In anticipation of the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays on the Golden Week of the Chinese Mainland, the Department of Health (DH) today (September 25) announced that it has stepped up inspections of Authorized Sellers of Poisons (ASPs), commonly known as pharmacies, and Listed Sellers of Poisons (LSPs), commonly known as medicine companies, focusing on tourist areas to monitor their compliance with relevant laws and codes of practice. These inspections form part of the DH's routine year-round enforcement efforts. In the first half of 2026, around 5 800 such inspections were conducted. In response to the increased visitor numbers and business activities during the Mainland's Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, the DH will step up inspections to crack down on any violations to protect public health.

Stepping up efforts to crack down on illegal use of pharmacy logo

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To address the illegal use of pharmacy logos and titles by shops, the DH reminded the public, including tourists, that they can refer to the attached pharmacy logo (see Annex 1) to verify whether a shop is a registered pharmacy when purchasing medicines in Hong Kong.

Photo source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) (the Ordinance), only LSPs can conduct the retail business of selling poisons listed in Part 2 of the Poisons List and sell only common drugs, such as cold and flu medicines. Such vendors do not have a registered duty pharmacist in the shop and cannot use the abovementioned pharmacy logo or title. Displaying a pharmacy logo in the prescribed form, or a logo resembling the prescribed form, at a premises other than a registered pharmacy, or using the Chinese term "" or terms such as "pharmacy", "dispensary" or "drug-store" in connection with any business engaged in the retail sale of poisons, constitutes an offence. Furthermore, illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons, or illegal sale of Part 2 poisons, is a criminal offence. Upon conviction, the offender is liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.

Over the past 12 months (between September 2025 and to August 2026), 10 limited companies, two company directors and two retail proprietors, none of which were operating unregistered pharmacies, were convicted of displaying logos on their premises that resembled the pharmacy logo in the prescribed form. They were fined amounts ranging from $800 to $32,000. During the same period, 23 limited companies and 11 individuals were convicted of illegal sale and/or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products. They were fined amounts ranging from $500 to $12,000 and sentenced to imprisonment ranging from one to two months.

The DH reminded the public that illegal sale of medicines controlled under the Ordinance, regardless of the sales channel, including online sales platforms, instant messaging applications or social media, incurs criminal liability. Members of the public should not risk breaking the law.

Points to note when purchasing medicines

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The DH reminded members of the public that all registered pharmaceutical products carry a Hong Kong registration number on their packaging. Registered pharmaceutical products are labelled with a number in the format of "HK-XXXXX”. The safety, quality and efficacy of unregistered pharmaceutical products are not guaranteed. Members of the public should not self-purchase, or consume products of doubtful composition or from unknown sources, as this poses health risks. Besides the lack of a doctor's assessment of an individual's health condition, it is difficult to ascertain the legitimate source of the drugs. It is also impossible to know whether the drugs were properly stored during transportation (especially for drugs requiring cold-chain storage). This leaves their safety, quality and efficacy unguaranteed.

To help the public identify registered pharmacies, the DH has formulated a label (Annex 2) for identification of ASPs. The labels have been sent to each registered pharmacy for display at a conspicuous place on their premises. Members of the public and tourists can also download the eHealth app from the website (app.ehealth.gov.hk) and use the "Licence Scanner" on its homepage to scan the QR code displayed at the pharmacy. For registered pharmacies, the message "This is a QR Code issued for licensed pharmacy" will be shown, alongside details of that particular registered pharmacy.

Photo source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Members of the public can also visit the website of the Drug Office of the DH for names and addresses of all licensees including ASPs.

In addition, to help Mainland visitors distinguish between pharmacies in Hong Kong, the DH has provided relevant information on its social media and official WeChat account regarding important points to note when purchasing medicines in Hong Kong. The DH has also distributed relevant information including "three Steps to Buying Medicine Wisely" to relevant tourism authorities which include the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Tourism Board to strengthen public awareness.

For more information on the safety of buying and safe use of medicines, please visit the website of the DH's Drug Office.

In anticipation of the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day holidays on the Golden Week of the Chinese Mainland, the Department of Health (DH) today (September 25) announced that it has stepped up inspections of Authorized Sellers of Poisons, commonly known as pharmacies, and Listed Sellers of Poisons, commonly known as medicine companies, focusing on tourist areas to monitor their compliance with relevant laws and codes of practice. Photo shows DH staff conducting inspections at a pharmacy. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Extension of opening hours and special traffic arrangements of FEHD's columbaria during Chung Yeung Festival

A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (September 25) saidthat the opening hours of columbaria under the FEHD will be extended to 7am to 7pm during the Chung Yeung Festival period (i.e. from September 26 to November 1) for the convenience of grave sweepers and to alleviate crowd conditions. The department appealed to grave sweepers to avoid grave-sweeping activities during the peak period on the day of the Chung Yeung Festival (October 18) and pay tribute to ancestors over a wider period before and after the festival.

The spokesman reminded grave sweepers to pay attention to the special traffic and transport arrangements that will be implemented during the Chung Yeung Festival. Except for vehicles with permission, all vehicles are prohibited from entering the FEHD cemeteries and columbaria when the special traffic and transport arrangements are in effect. For details of the special traffic and transport arrangements in the vicinity of cemeteries and columbaria, please visit the Transport Department website (www.td.gov.hk). In addition, the escalator adjacent to the Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium has been opened for public access.

The FEHD expects that there will be a large number of visitors burning paper offerings in joss paper burners (JPBs) at the Tsang Tsui Columbarium and Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium during the peak sweeping period of the Chung Yeung Festival. No walk-in queuing for the JPBs will be allowed at both columbaria on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays during the above-mentioned Chung Yeung Festival period. Members of the public are required to make bookings via the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/cc/notice.html) or obtain queue tickets in the columbaria. For details of the JPB arrangements, please visit the FEHD website.

The FEHD reminds the public that the Shek Mun Columbarium and Garden of Remembrance in Sha Tin implements a "smoke-free worship" environment. Burning of joss sticks and paper offerings is strictly prohibited throughout the premises, and no related facilities are provided. The public is encouraged to pay tribute with fresh flowers instead of traditional offerings to help preserve the peaceful and dignified atmosphere of the site.

Green burial allows the environment to thrive and love to endure. Members of the public can register their wishes for a green burial through the Green Burial Central Register (www.greenburial.gov.hk). The registration is simple and free of charge. Members of the public can also pay tribute to their loved ones through the Internet Memorial Service webpage (www.memorial.gov.hk) and its mobile application. During the Chung Yeung Festival, a "Green Burial, Love Living On" exhibition will be held on the G/F of the Tsang Tsui Columbarium. All are welcome to visit free of charge. Throughout the exhibition period, a food kiosk will be set up to provide food and beverages for sale.

To further promote green burial and encourage the public to plan ahead for their after-death arrangements, the FEHD will organise a "School of Life - Interactive Exhibition" from October 16 to 19 at Main Atrium, 1/F, Phase 1, Tuen Mun Town Plaza. The event will feature a variety of experiential activities, along with booths set up by multiple service organisations to introduce enhanced services on life arrangements and green burial. On-site registration for the Green Burial Central Register and free registration on guided tour to Garden of Remembrance will be available. Admission is free, and all interested individuals are welcome to participate.

Source: AI-found images