The Department of Health (DH) and the Police Force today seized over 5,900 items of suspected unregistered pharmaceutical products and/or Part 1 poisons from two premises in Tsim Sha Tsui during a raid.

The operation was conducted after intelligence indicated that certain premises were suspected of providing injectable treatments involving unregistered pharmaceutical products to the public.

One of the premises raided operated as a company claiming to provide medical health management services. 

The DH said the case remains under investigation and did not rule out further arrests.

It reminded the public that injection procedures are medical procedures which must only be performed by locally registered medical practitioners or registered dentists. 

For queries about disease prevention and treatment, consult a registered doctor instead of blindly trusting unproven medical claims.

Under the Pharmacy & Poisons Ordinance, any product that meets the definition of a pharmaceutical product must meet the criteria of safety, efficacy and quality and must be registered with the Pharmacy & Poisons Board of Hong Kong before it may be distributed in the city. 

The illegal supply or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons is a criminal offence. Upon conviction, each offence carries a maximum penalty of a fine of $100,000 and two years imprisonment.

The DH stressed that it will continue taking enforcement action if it suspects that a person has illegally supplied and/or possessed unregistered pharmaceutical products. If healthcare professionals are involved, the case will be referred to the relevant professional regulatory body for follow-up.

The department has been taking stringent enforcement action against such offences to safeguard public safety. From 2021 to June 2026, its Drug Office handled 138 cases resulting in convictions. The maximum penalty has been 10 months' imprisonment or a fine of up to $242,000.

The DH will continue to closely monitor pharmaceutical products on the market and take appropriate follow-up action upon receiving intelligence or complaints.

The department also noted that it has sent a letter to all doctors and private healthcare facilities in Hong Kong, reminding them that they must comply with the law in Hong Kong, as the illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products is a criminal offence.