The Department of Health (DH) and the Police today (September 20) in a joint operation raided two retail shops in Sheung Shui and Yuen Long for suspected illegal sale and possession of an unregistered pharmaceutical product. Three people were arrested during the operation. 
 
     During market surveillance, the DH found that the two retail shops had been selling an unregistered pharmaceutical product (see photo), which was labeled in Japanese as containing dexamethasone, a Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (PPO) (Cap 138).
 
     "Dexamethasone is a steroidal substance for treating inflammation. Inappropriate or excessive application of steroids could cause skin problems. Products containing dexamethasone are prescription medicines and should be used under the advice of medical practitioners," the DH spokesman said.
 
     A man aged 20 and two women aged 24 and 50 were arrested by the Police for suspected illegal sale and possession of Part 1 poison and unregistered pharmaceutical product in the operation today. The DH's investigation is continuing.
 
     According to the PPO, all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be sold legally in the market. Illegal sale and possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products and Part I poisons are criminal offences. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.
 
     All registered pharmaceutical products should carry a Hong Kong registration number on the package in the format of "HK-XXXXX". The DH strongly urges members of the public not to buy or use unregistered pharmaceutical products as their safety, efficacy and quality are not guaranteed.
 
     Members of the public should not self-medicate without advice from healthcare professionals. People who have purchased the above product should stop using it and consult healthcare professionals if they are in doubt or feeling unwell after use. They may submit the product to the DH's Drug Office at Room 1856, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, during office hours for disposal.

  

     The Hong Kong Electrical and Mechanical (E&M) Trade Promotion Working Group, formed by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) and the E&M trade, held the second "E&M GO!" Orientation Ceremony today (September 20). The event attracted over 600 young trainees who joined E&M training schemes organised by various private and public organisations, with an aim to encourage them to pursue their aspirations in the E&M trade.

     Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said that Hong Kong will continue to have a number of infrastructure projects closely related to people's livelihood in the next few years. The number of mechanical and electrical facilities has also increased, thus requiring a large number of mechanical and electrical professionals. He encouraged students to actively equip themselves and develop their strengths in the electromechanical industry, which is filled with development opportunities.

     The Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Alfred Sit, said that the development of the E&M trade relies on trade and relevant government departments to provide ample opportunities for training and employment to aspiring young people. With joint efforts by various stakeholders, the trade and the EMSD, the number of E&M apprentices has been increasing and would gradually improve the manpower provisions of the trade. He added that it has been a widespread trend for the E&M trade to integrate with new technologies, and encouraged the trainees to better equip themselves for the new opportunities.

     The Working Group has always played important roles in attracting new talents to the industry. With the active participation of the EMSD, the Working Group has organised a number of large-scale promotional events and recruitment expos to boost the professional image and enhance the general public's knowledge of the E&M industry. With the concerted efforts of different stakeholders, the number of E&M trainees in the trade increased by 40 per cent compared with 2013.

     For details about the Working Group please visit the Working Group's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/emengineering).

  

     Police today (September 20) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Tsing Yi.
         
     Yu Pik-ying, aged 43, went missing after she left her residence in Cheung On Estate on September 7 morning. Her family made a report to Police on September 15.
         
     She is about 1.5 metres tall, 48 kilograms in weight and of thin build. She has a round face with yellow complexion and shoulder-length black straight hair. She was last seen wearing a black dress, black shoes and carrying a brown handbag.
          
     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of New Territories South on 3661 1176 or 9689 7445 or email to rmpu-nts-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

     The annual event "Build a Secure Cyberspace", co-organised by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and the Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Co-ordination Centre, has set "Stay Smart, Keep Cyber Scams Away" as the theme this year. A series of promotional activities have been organised to raise public awareness against cyber scams such as phishing.
      
     Addressing a seminar today (September 20), the Assistant Government Chief Information Officer (Cyber Security and Digital Identity), Mr Jason Pun, said, "Phishing attacks have extended from phishing emails and fraudulent websites commonly found in the past to deception through social media or instant messaging mobile apps, and the tactics are diversified and in various guises."
      
     He called on the public to be mindful in handling suspicious emails or messages and not to open attachments or click on hyperlinks casually to safeguard their assets. He also reminded the public to stay vigilant against fraudulent websites in order to protect their computer devices from data theft or becoming part of a botnet.
      
     At the seminar, experts and representatives from the HKPF and the information security industry enlightened participants with their practical experience and security tips on an array of hot topics, including the latest cybercrime trends, methods to guard against phishing, measures for protecting organisation and household network devices, and points to note when using mobile payment.
      
     Another highlight today was the award presentation ceremony of the "Stay Smart, Keep Cyber Scams Away" Video Ad Contest. The Contest was divided into four categories, namely the primary school, secondary school, family and open groups, and received enthusiastic responses. Mr Pun commended the video ad submissions for their quality production and creativity. He said he expected that through the contest, the public could better understand the ways to identify legitimate websites and online messages so that they could guard against cyber security threats more effectively. The winning entries can be viewed at the Cyber Security Information Portal (www.cybersecurity.hk/en/contest-2018.php).
      
     A variety of events including seminars, a creativity contest, radio programmes and school talks are being held under the "Build a Secure Cyberspace" campaign. Details are available at www.cybersecurity.hk/en/build-a-secure-cyberspace.php.
    

    

     Hong Kong Customs today (September 20) distributed pamphlets in Sham Shui Po, Mong Kok and Wan Chai to remind members of the public, especially parents, about safety of Mid-Autumn Festival toys and to pay attention to the warnings and usage instructions on them.

     The Deputy Head (Toys and Children's Products Safety) of the Consumer Protection Bureau of Customs, Mr Eric Leung, today said when meeting the press in Sham Shui Po that Customs test-bought 10 models of Mid-Autumn Festival toys in August for safety testing by the Government Laboratory. Results showed that all samples complied with the statutory requirements.

     Customs conducted spot check operations in various districts in September and found four models of lanterns, four models of light-emitting toys and one type of glow stick without any identification markings (the full name and the address of the manufacturer, the importer or the supplier) and/or applicable bilingual warnings or cautions (with respect to the safekeeping, use, consumption or disposal) attached. The toys were suspected of having contravened the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance (TCPSO) and its subsidiary legislation.

     Nine retailers were ordered to store the 104 non-compliant lanterns, 498 non-compliant light-emitting toys and 79 stacks of non-compliant glow sticks in specified places.

     Customs will continue the spot check operations up to the Mid-Autumn Festival.

     Mr Leung also reminded parents to take heed of the warning labels and operation manuals of toys as well as to provide supervision to ensure children's safety in the course of using the toys.

     Under the TCPSO, it is an offence to import, manufacture or supply toys unless the toys comply with prescribed safety standards. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years on subsequent conviction.

     Members of the public may report information relating to suspected unsafe toys or children's products via Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).