More than 5,900 suspected unregistered pharmaceutical products and/or Part 1 poisons were seized during a surprise search of two premises in Tsim Sha Tsui on September 30 by the Department of Health and police.
The operation followed allegations that the premises had supplied injection treatments involving unregistered pharmaceutical products. One of the sites was a company claiming to provide medical and health management services, according to the authorities. The investigation is continuing, and the Department of Health said arrests have not been ruled out.
The Department said products that meet the legal definition of pharmaceutical products must meet safety, efficacy and quality standards and be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be sold locally. Illegal supply or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons is a criminal offence, carrying a maximum fine of HK$100,000 and two years’ imprisonment for each offence on conviction.
The Drug Office handled 138 cases that resulted in convictions for the sale and/or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products between 2021 and June 2026. Across all offences in those cases, the highest penalties were 10 months’ imprisonment or fines totalling HK$242,000.
The Department reminded the public that injections are medical procedures and should be performed only by locally registered doctors or registered dentists. Anyone seeking advice about preventing or treating disease should consult a registered doctor and avoid relying on unverified medical claims.