Hong Kong Customs today (November 29) arrested a salesman of a medicine shop suspected to have applied a false trade description in the course of selling a proprietary medicine, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Customs earlier received information alleging that a salesperson of a medicine shop in Sham Shui Po was suspected to have applied a false trade description on a brand of medicine by claiming that it was a particular brand of medicine in the course of selling medicines.

     After investigation, Customs officers arrested a 57-year-old man this afternoon. 

     Investigation is ongoing and the arrested person has been released on bail pending further investigation.

     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure products at reputable shops.

     Under the TDO, any person who in the course of any trade or business applies a false trade description to any goods commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

     The Department of Health (DH) announced today (November 29) the latest follow-up actions taken on quadrivalent seasonal influenza vaccines (SIVs), following its announcement concerning the suspension of supply of a batch of quadrivalent SIVs and the dispatch arrangements of another batch of vaccines by a licensed drug wholesaler, Sanofi-Aventis Hong Kong Limited (Sanofi), this Tuesday (November 27).

     The DH collected over 1 000 samples of quadrivalent SIVs by Sanofi from Sanofi's storehouse and dispensaries of the DH clinics for inspection on a random basis yesterday (November 28). Among them, about 700 samples were from the affected batch while about 300 samples were from other batches. The inspection result revealed that no particles were detected in the samples.

     Meanwhile, the DH has also collected vaccine samples for quality testing by the Government Laboratory and accredited laboratories. The results will be announced as soon as possible.

     Preliminary information by Sanofi also revealed that it has not received any report regarding the presence of white particles in the same batch of SIVs currently supplied to Hong Kong, and that there is so far no evidence showing that the quality, safety or efficacy of the SIVs supplied to Hong Kong have been affected, or that safety risk is imposed to those receiving the vaccines. The DH has requested Sanofi to submit a full investigation report regarding the presence of white particles in the affected batch of SIVs.

     "We have been working on the incident in the past days and have traced and compiled further information on the distribution locations of the affected batch of vaccines. The information, including a list of the DH's clinics, the Hospital Authority (HA)'s clinics, and other healthcare facilities, has been uploaded to the website of the Centre for Health Protection (www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/101125.html)," a spokesman for the DH said.

     The HA has set up a hotline (2300 6028) and the DH has also set up a hotline (2125 1133). Members of the public may call the hotline during office hours, Monday to Friday, for enquiries.

     Regarding the healthcare facilities supplied with the affected batch of SIVs, the DH has already instructed them to suspend the use of the affected vaccines, and to seal and not to use the remaining unused vaccines until the DH's further instruction.

     To maintain a stable supply of SIVs, the DH has been keeping close contact with Sanofi and closely monitoring the progress of the dispatch arrangements of vaccines. The DH has also asked Sanofi and another supplier providing quadrivalent SIVs to Hong Kong to import additional quantities of vaccines to meet the local demand.

     The spokesman stressed that the use of the affected batch of SIVs has been suspended and reminded the public that vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent influenza to protect themselves against influenza and its complications.

     A 47-year-old man was sentenced to 35 days' imprisonment at Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (November 29) for assaulting and resisting a Tobacco Control Inspector (TCI) in the exercise of his duties. He was also fined $2,000 for a smoking offence.
 
     The incident took place at the Cooked Food Centre of Sheung Wan Municipal Services Building on February 11, 2018. The man assaulted a TCI as a team of inspectors was inspecting the venue. He was subsequently arrested and charged by the Police.

     A spokesman for the Department of Health urged the public to observe the smoking ban requirements and to co-operate with law enforcement officers.

     "Threatening or use of violence on enforcement officers is a serious offence and carries serious legal consequences," the spokesman said.

     As of today, there have been five cases of assaulting TCIs in 2018. Since 2007, 86 cases have been recorded and 21 out of 74 offenders convicted for assaulting TCIs were sentenced to immediate imprisonment. The maximum penalty meted out by the court was immediate imprisonment for four months.

     The Transport Department (TD) today (November 29) held the Briefing on Green Minibus (GMB) Real-Time Arrival Information System for the GMB trade representatives to introduce the preliminary concept of the system and listen to their views. 

     According to the Chief Executive's 2018 Policy Address, the Government has been promoting the opening up of operating data by public transport operators to facilitate commuting and trip planning of the public. To provide real-time arrival information of GMBs, the Government will fund and develop a data collection system and a mobile application, as well as install relevant devices on GMBs to enable passengers to access the real-time arrival information of GMBs through the mobile application. The relevant data will also be released in a machine-readable format for public use. GMB operators can make use of the data for fleet management with a view to improving operational efficiency.
 
     "The Government is pleased that the GMB trade pledges full support for the plan to provide a GMB real-time arrival information system and is willing to co-operate with the Government for the follow-up actions. We believe the provision of real-time arrival information for GMBs will enhance the image of the trade and consolidate its competitiveness," a spokesman for the TD said. 
 
     "The TD will appoint a technical consultant and a system contractor for conducting a pilot scheme, developing the system and the mobile application, and installing the system. Meanwhile, the TD will work with the GMB operators on various types of advance preparation work, which include the setting up of a working group to discuss the details of the system, and compiling the stop information for all GMB services," the spokesman added. 
 
     The TD anticipates that the GMB real-time arrival information system will require around three years for development and testing, and hopes that the system will commence operation in early 2022.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (November 29) reported a suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places they visit. The case is detailed below:
 

     "Travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels; avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry; and avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities. We strongly advise travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to abstain from arranging camel rides and activities involving direct contact with camels, which are known risk factors for acquiring MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     Locally, the CHP's surveillance with public and private hospitals, with practising doctors and at boundary control points is firmly in place. Inbound travellers and members of the public who recently visited the Middle East and developed fever or lower respiratory symptoms within 14 days will be classified as suspected MERS cases. They will be taken to public hospitals for isolation and management until their specimens test negative for MERS-CoV.

     Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilance, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the MERS pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP's Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the World Health Organization's latest news for more information and health advice. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP's health advice on MERS.