Tag Archives: China

     In view of the approaching Labour Day Golden Week of the Mainland, the Department of Health (DH) and Police yesterday (April 29) mounted a joint operation in Yau Tsim Mong District to combat the illegal sale of drugs and Chinese herbal medicines (Chm) in retail shops with a view to further safeguarding rights of local consumers and visitors.

     The DH raided two retail shops, which use the Chinese name “è—¥å�Š”, in Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok respectively. During the operation, nine unregistered pharmaceutical products and Part 1 poisons under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) and a Schedule 2 Chm under the Chinese Medicine Ordinance (Cap. 549) were seized as the shops did not have the required licenses. The Police arrested three men aged between 29 and 33. They were suspected of illegal possession of Part 1 poisons and unregistered pharmaceutical products under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, and illegal possession and sale of a Schedule 2 Chm under the Chinese Medicine Ordinance respectively. The DH’s investigations are ongoing.

     According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong (the Board) before they can be legally sold in the market. Illegal possession or sale of unregistered pharmaceutical products, and illegal possession or sale of Part 1 poisons under the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations (Cap. 138A) without relevant licence are criminal offences. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years’ imprisonment upon conviction.

     Furthermore, anyone who wishes to engage in the retail business of toxic Chm specified in Schedule 1 of the Chinese Medicine Ordinance and Chm specified in Schedule 2 of the Ordinance, which are commonly used in Hong Kong, must first apply for the relevant licence from the Chinese Medicines Board under the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong (CMCHK). Sale and possession for retail of Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 Chm without a licence are criminal offences. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 and two years’ imprisonment upon conviction.

     To prevent the inappropriate use of pharmacy logos and titles by medicine retailers, the Board endorsed and announced that applicants for a medicine retailer licence (i.e. listed seller of poisons licence) who are not Authorized Sellers of Poisons (commonly known as pharmacies), must not use or display the Chinese title “è—¥å�Š” in its premises. The DH has enhanced its inspections against licensed listed sellers of poisons and Chm retailers located in tourist areas in the past month, and reminded the licence holders to comply with the requirements of the relevant laws and regulations.

     Moreover, the DH has formulated a label for identification of Authorized Sellers of Poisons and the labels are being sent to each pharmacy progressively for display in a conspicuous position in the pharmacy. Members of the public could obtain information of the registered pharmacy by scanning the QR Code on the label. For details, please see the relevant press release.

     The DH has long reminded members of the public and tourists through promotions and education to purchase medicines from licensed medicine traders. For the list of licensed Drug Dealers, please visit the website of the Drug Office of the DH. For the list of licensed Chinese medicines traders, please visit the website of the CMCHK.

     To enhance the public’s understanding of registered pharmacies, the website of the Drug Office of the DH provides educational materials on “‘Pharmacies’ in Hong Kong” for public viewing. The DH has also compiled safety information for consumers on the purchase and use of medicines, including “Be Cautious when Buying Medicines on Internet“, “General Knowledge on Registered Medicines“, and points to note when buying proprietary Chinese medicines for public viewing. read more

     Police today (April 30) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Sha Tin.            An Indonesian woman, Gimongala Karen Betcher, aged 37, went m… read more

     The Government Property Agency (GPA) is inviting tenders for a three-year licence of a fee-paying public car park on portions of the First Floor of Sai Kung Government Offices, 34 Chan Man Street, Sai Kung, New Territories, Hong Kon… read more

     An owner was convicted and fined $15,825 at the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts on April 16 for failing to comply with a fire safety direction issued under the Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance (FS(B)O) (Cap. 572).

     The Buildings Department (BD) issued a fire safety direction under section 5(2)(a)(ii) of the FS(B)O to the owner of a domestic flat in a 58-year-old composite building at San Cheung Street, Sheung Shui, requiring the owner to comply with the fire safety construction requirement by providing a fire-rated door at the unit entrance which opens directly to a staircase.

     Failing to comply with the statutory direction, the owner was prosecuted by the BD and was convicted and fined by the court.

     “According to the FS(B)O, failing to comply with a statutory direction issued under the ordinance without reasonable excuse is a serious offence. The BD may instigate prosecution proceedings against the owner”, a spokesman for the BD said today (April 30).

     Pursuant to section 5(8) of the FS(B)O, any person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a statutory direction, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine at level 4 ($25,000 at present) and to a further fine of $2,500 for each day of non-compliance. Upon conviction, an application may also be made to the court for a fire safety compliance order against the owner under section 6(1) of the FS(B)O directing the owner to comply with the requirements of the direction. read more

     The Labour Department (LD) organises courses and public health talks on prevention of heat stroke and occupational health regularly to raise employers’ and employees’ awareness of occupational health.
     
     Details of eight courses and health talks on the prevention of heat stroke at work in May are as follows:
 
(1)
Dates and Time: May 3, 17 and 30 (Half-day (am));
May 9 and 23 (Half-day (pm))
Venue: Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre of the LD, 13/F, KOLOUR·Tsuen Wan I, 68 Chung On Street, Tsuen Wan, New Territories
Enrolment method: Download the application form (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/osh/form.htm)
Enquiry hotline: 2940 7057
 
(2)
Dates and Time: May 21 (Half-day (am))
Venue: Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Centre of the LD, G/F, Kwun Tong Community Health Centre Building, 60 Hip Wo Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon
Enrolment method: Online registration of courses in OSH Centre (www.oshsreg.gov.hk/en)
Enquiry hotline: 2361 8240
 
(3)
Date and Time: May 8 (3.30pm to 5pm)
Venue: Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Science Museum, 2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon
Enrolment method: Online registration of public talks on occupational health (www.oshsreg.gov.hk/en)
Enquiry hotline: 2852 4040
 
(4)
Date and Time: May 14 (3.30pm to 5pm)
Venue: Lecture Theatre, Hong Kong Central Library, 66 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Enrolment method: Online registration of public talks on occupational health (www.oshsreg.gov.hk/en)
Enquiry hotline: 2852 4040
 
     In addition, the LD will hold the following occupational health public talks in May:
 
(1)
Topic: Work and Common Gastrointestinal Diseases
Content: The talk will introduce the causes, symptoms and treatments of some common gastrointestinal diseases. It will also highlight the mutual influence between work and common gastrointestinal diseases and their preventive measures.
Date and Time: May 27 (3.30pm to 5pm)
Venue: Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Science Museum, 2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon
Enrolment method: Online registration (www.oshsreg.gov.hk/en)
Enquiry hotline: 2852 4040
 
(2)
Topic: Manual Handling Operations and Prevention of Back Injuries
Content: The talk will introduce the structure and functions of the back, causes and preventive measures of back injuries and proper manual handling operations, with demonstrations and practice of workplace exercises.
Date and Time: May 28 (6.30pm to 8pm)
Venue: Lecture Theatre, Hong Kong Central Library, 66 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Enrolment method: Online registration (www.oshsreg.gov.hk/en)
Enquiry hotline: 2852 4040
 
     All courses and public talks will be given by the LD’s occupational hygienist, occupational safety officer or occupational health nurse in Cantonese. Admission is free.
     
     The LD also provides a free-of-charge outreach health education service. For details, please visit the department’s webpage (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/osh/content7.htm) or call 2852 4062. read more