Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Department of Health (DH) today (December 27) appealed to the public not to buy or consume a slimming product named “BBS Super Fast” as it was found to contain undeclared and controlled drug ingredients that might be dangerous to health.     
 
​     Following a public enquiry, the DH collected a sample of the above product from the market for analysis. Test results from the Government Laboratory revealed that the sample contains sibutramine, fluoxetine and orlistat, which are all Part 1 poisons under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap 138) (the Ordinance).
 
​     The DH’s investigation is continuing.    
 
​     Sibutramine was once used as an appetite suppressant. Since November 2010, products containing sibutramine have been banned in Hong Kong because of increased cardiovascular risk. Fluoxetine is used for treatment of mood disorder and may cause hallucination and insomnia. Meanwhile, orlistat is used for the treatment of obesity. Its side-effects include faecal urgency, fatty stool, increased frequency of defecation, faecal incontinence, headache and abdominal pain. Severe liver injuries may also be induced.             
 
​     According to the Ordinance, all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be legally sold in the market. Part 1 poisons could only be sold at pharmacy under the supervision of a registered pharmacist. Illegal sale or possession of Part 1 poisons and unregistered pharmaceutical products are criminal offences. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years’ imprisonment.     
 
​     The DH spokesman strongly urged members of the public not to buy products of unknown or doubtful composition, or to consume products from unknown sources. All registered pharmaceutical products should carry a Hong Kong registration number on the package in the format HK-XXXXX. Safety, quality and efficacy of unregistered pharmaceutical products are not guaranteed.     
 
​     Weight control should be achieved through a balanced diet and appropriate exercise. The public should consult healthcare professionals before using any medication for weight control.    
 
​     The public may visit the Drug Office’s pages for health messages on weight control and slimming products and information on slimming products with undeclared Western drug ingredients.
 
​     People who have purchased the product should stop taking it immediately. They can also submit the product to the Drug Office of the DH at Room 1856, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for disposal.

  

Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:      Here is an item of interest to swimmers.      The Leisure and Cultural Services … read more

     The Drainage Services Department (DSD) and the Environmental Protection Department announced today (December 27) that after three months of emergency repairs, most of the mechanical equipment that was damaged by typhoon Mangkhut at the Sai Kung Sewage Treatment Works (SKSTW) has been fixed. The SKSTW fully resumed its secondary sewage treatment operation in accordance with its original design capability last week and its effluent fully complied with the associated discharge standards. The installation of the newly purchased UV disinfection system also commenced in December. Its testing and commissioning works are expected to be completed in January 2019.

     To strengthen the resilience of the SKSTW’s seawall against high waves under extreme weather conditions, the DSD completed the preliminary strengthening works for the damaged seawall in October with the assistance of the Civil Engineering and Development Department. Further enhancement works is expected to be completed by mid 2019. read more

     Hongkong Post announced today (December 27) the release of a set of special stamps themed on the Year of the Pig, together with associated philatelic products, which will go on sale on January 12 (Saturday).
      
     An integral part of Chinese history and culture, the 12 Chinese zodiac animals convey good wishes and bear symbolic meanings, and have therefore been a popular theme in arts and crafts since ancient times. To herald the arrival of the Year of the Pig in 2019, Hongkong Post presents the stamps as the eighth issue of the fourth Lunar New Year special stamp series, featuring a set of four stamps portraying pigs in different art forms, namely, cloth art, woodcarving, ceramic and jade, to underscore the theme of the Year of the Pig. A silk stamp sheetlet featuring a gold mother pig and piglets pendant against a background of graceful and enchanting peonies to usher in a propitious year ahead, will also be issued to mark the joyous occasion.
 
     Furthermore, Hongkong Post is releasing a Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals – Dog/Pig as the seventh issue of the second series. The dog stamp is hot-foiled with silver while the pig stamp is affixed with 22K gold-plated lace metal. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, this stamp sheetlet makes a perfect collectible. Additionally, as the second issue of the second series, Hongkong Post is releasing “Silver Hot Foil Lunar New Year Animal Stamps – Monkey / Rooster / Dog / Pig” special stamps. Printed in lithography with silver hot foil stamping and an embossing effect, the zodiac animals glitter and shine, bringing vigour and vitality to herald the new year.
      
     Two Heartwarming Stamps (2019 Version) Year of the Pig mini-panes, which adopt the respective designs of the $2 and the $4.90 mint stamps in the “Year of the Pig” special stamp issue of 2019, will be released for sale at all philatelic offices from January 12.
 
     In addition to stamps, Year of the Pig red packets, featuring images of the four mint stamps on the same theme, will go on sale at the General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Tsuen Wan Post Office, Sha Tin Central Post Office and Tuen Mun Central Post Office, as well as Hongkong Post’s Online Shopping Mall “ShopThruPost” (shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk), starting from January 12 while stock lasts.
 
     Official First Day Covers for the Year of the Pig, official souvenir covers for the “Gold and Silver Stamp Sheetlet on Lunar New Year Animals – Dog / Pig” and official souvenir covers for the “Silver Hot Foil Lunar New Year Animal Stamps – Monkey / Rooster / Dog / Pig” will be put on sale at $1.30 each at all post offices from December 28. A prestige version of the aforesaid covers will also be available at $8 each at all philatelic offices on the same day.
 
     These items will be displayed at the General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Tsuen Wan Post Office, Sha Tin Central Post Office and Tuen Mun Central Post Office from the same day. Advance orders for servicing self-provided covers will be accepted at all philatelic offices from December 28 to January 3.
 
     In addition to the above products, a newly designed 2019 Souvenir Cover will be put on sale at $1.30 at all philatelic offices, as well as Hongkong Post’s Online Shopping Mall “ShopThruPost” (shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk) from December 28, 2018 to December 31, 2019.  
 
     All philatelic offices will extend their operating hours until 5pm on January 12, except for the General Post Office and the Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office which will be open until 6pm and the Airport Post Office until 8.30pm. Non-philatelic post offices will be open during their normal business hours (please refer to Hongkong Post’s website at www.hongkongpost.hk for details).
 
     Information about this special stamp issue and associated philatelic products is available on Hongkong Post’s website at www.hongkongpost.hk and Hongkong Post Mobile App.

                              

     The Lands Department announced today (December 27) that the tender for a site, New Kowloon Inland Lot No. 6575 at Kai Tak Area 4B Site 2, Kai Tak, Kowloon, has been awarded to the highest tenderer, Macfull Limited (parent compa… read more