Health Department Raids Tsim Sha Tsui Premises, Seizing 5,900 Suspected Unregistered Pharmaceutical Products

DH and Police raid premises suspected of illegally supplying and/or possessing unregistered pharmaceutical products for injection treatments

In view of the fact that certain premises were suspected to provide injectable treatments involving unregistered pharmaceutical products to the public, the Department of Health (DH) conducted a raid in Tsim Sha Tsui today (September 30) in collaboration with the Police. So far, more than 5 900 vials/ampoules of suspected unregistered pharmaceutical products and/or Part 1 poisons have been seized. The case remains under investigation and arrests cannot be ruled out.

During the operation, the DH and the Police seized more than 5 900 vials/ampoules of suspected unregistered pharmaceutical products and/or Part 1 poisons from two premises in Tsim Sha Tsui, including a company claiming to provide medical health management services.

Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138), any product that meets the definition of a pharmaceutical product must meet the criteria of safety, efficacy and quality, and must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before it may be distributed in Hong Kong. The illegal supply or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons is a criminal offence. Upon conviction, each offence carries a maximum penalty of a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.

Where the DH suspects that a person has illegally supplied and/or possessed unregistered pharmaceutical products, it will conduct an investigation and take enforcement action. Where healthcare professionals are involved, the case will be referred to the relevant professional regulatory body for follow-up.

The DH has been taking stringent enforcement action against the illegal supply and/or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products to safeguard public safety. From 2021 to June 2026, the DH's Drug Office handled 138 cases resulting in 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 $242,000 (the total fine for all counts of offences).

The DH will continue to closely monitor pharmaceutical products on the market, whether via online or offline channels, in accordance with established mechanisms. The DH will also take appropriate follow-up action upon receiving intelligence or complaints. When necessary, the DH will conduct joint operations with other law enforcement departments, or refer the cases to the relevant department for follow-up.

Furthermore, the DH has sent a letter to all doctors and private healthcare facilities in Hong Kong, reminding them that they must comply with the law in Hong Kong, as the illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products is a criminal offence in Hong Kong.

The DH also reminded members of the public that injection procedures are medical procedures which should only be performed by locally registered medical practitioners or registered dentists. For queries about disease prevention and treatment, one should first consult a registered doctor, who will provide professional advice based on individual health condition and the latest medical evidence. To protect one's health and safety, do not blindly trust unproven medical claims.

DH and Police raid premises suspected of illegally supplying and/or possessing unregistered pharmaceutical products for injection treatments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH and Police raid premises suspected of illegally supplying and/or possessing unregistered pharmaceutical products for injection treatments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH and Police raid premises suspected of illegally supplying and/or possessing unregistered pharmaceutical products for injection treatments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH and Police raid premises suspected of illegally supplying and/or possessing unregistered pharmaceutical products for injection treatments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD continues to combat unlicensed hawking at foreign domestic helpers' gathering places and steps up removal of articles stored in public places

A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (September 30) that, to further enhance food safety and environmental hygiene, the department carried out publicity and education work continuously at places where foreign domestic helpers gather across various districts, and stepped up intelligence-led blitz enforcement actions targeting irregularities such as unlicensed hawking, obstruction of passageways, leaving behind or storing articles in public places.

In the operations conducted over the past three weeks, FEHD officers arrested a total of 10 persons at foreign domestic helpers' gathering places for suspected unlicensed hawking and causing obstruction in public places. About two tonnes of goods, including cooked food, clothes, hats, shoes, handbags and cosmetics, were seized. For the arrested persons suspected of breaching their conditions of stay, the FEHD has notified the relevant law enforcement departments to follow up on the cases in parallel.

Following the end of the publicity and education period, the FEHD has stepped up patrols and cleaning operations at foreign domestic helpers' gathering places, issuing over 30 notices regarding articles in respect of unattended items, and removing more than 80 kilograms of articles obstructing scavenging work. In addition, regarding setting up of tents in public places and leaving personal belongings behind occupying government land, the department has referred relevant cases to the departments concerned for follow-up.

The FEHD stressed that foreign domestic helpers engaging in illegal hawking are in breach of their conditions of stay. Employers are urged to remind their domestic helpers to comply with the law and maintain environmental hygiene. The FEHD will continue to conduct proactive inspections at places where foreign domestic helpers commonly gather, step up and further strengthen cross-departmental co-ordination. The FEHD appeals to relevant parties for their full co-operation in maintaining public hygiene. Members of the public may report suspected unlicensed hawking or other irregularities to the FEHD.

FEHD continues to combat unlicensed hawking at foreign domestic helpers' gathering places and steps up removal of articles stored in public places Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD continues to combat unlicensed hawking at foreign domestic helpers' gathering places and steps up removal of articles stored in public places Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD continues to combat unlicensed hawking at foreign domestic helpers' gathering places and steps up removal of articles stored in public places Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD continues to combat unlicensed hawking at foreign domestic helpers' gathering places and steps up removal of articles stored in public places Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD continues to combat unlicensed hawking at foreign domestic helpers' gathering places and steps up removal of articles stored in public places Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD continues to combat unlicensed hawking at foreign domestic helpers' gathering places and steps up removal of articles stored in public places Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD continues to combat unlicensed hawking at foreign domestic helpers' gathering places and steps up removal of articles stored in public places Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases