In response to media enquiries about the licence of a day procedure centre (DPC) in Causeway Bay being cancelled, a spokesman for the Department of Health (DH) gave the following response today (December 9):
Regarding the cancellation of the licence of a DPC in Causeway Bay by the DH in accordance with the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance (Cap. 633), the statutory period of notification had lapsed. The Office for Regulation of Private Healthcare Facilities (ORPHF) of the DH had published the information on its website today (www.directory.orphf.gov.hk/Directory/en/Common/RecordsOfRegulatoryActions), with the date of licence cancellation being December 9, 2023.
During the DH's routine inspection at the concerned DPC, the DPC was found to have contravened the Code of Practice for Day Procedure Centres under the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance, including possession and suspected use of an unlicensed X-ray machine, suspected handling of injectable pharmaceutical products that are suspected to be unregistered, failing to maintain complete, comprehensive, and accurate medical records of patients, as well as failing to provide relevant information of personnel performing patient consultation and drug prescription.
The DH discovered that the DPC possesses and is suspected to have used an unlicensed X-ray machine. The X-ray machine is mainly used for X-ray fluoroscopic examination on the limbs. During normal use, the radiation emitted by the X-ray machine would not cause a significant impact on human health. The X-ray machine has been marked and sealed.
Besides, the DPC is suspected to have handled injectable vitamin preparations that are suspected to be unregistered. In general, injectable vitamin preparations could be used to treat relevant vitamin-deficiency diseases. The DH has requested the DPC to contact the patients who have used the suspected unregistered pharmaceutical products. The DH has not received any reports of adverse events related to this DPC so far.
With regard to the suspected illegal medical practice and professional misconduct, the DH has referred to the Police and the Medical Council of Hong Kong for follow-up respectively.
Under the Radiation Ordinance (Cap. 303), possession or use of unlicenced X-ray machine constitutes an offence, the maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 and two-year imprisonment.
According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations (Cap. 138A), illegal supply of unregistered pharmaceutical products is an offence, the maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and two-year imprisonment.
The DH is continuing its follow-up on the suspected use of an unlicensed X-ray machine and handling of unregistered pharmaceutical products that are suspected to be unregistered by the DPC, as well as obstructing or delaying authorised officers of the DH in performing their functions. The DH will seek advice from the Department of Justice for prosecution matters upon completion of the investigation. Referral would be made to relevant enforcement agencies or authorities as appropriate.
The DH reminded members of the public who have received treatment/injection at the abovementioned DPC to seek medical attention if feeling unwell. Also, injection procedures should only be performed by a locally registered doctor. Customers should look for his or her full name against the list of registered doctors of the Medical Council of Hong Kong as well as his or her professional qualifications and relevant experience.
Follow this news feed: East Asia