Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Department of Health (DH) today (April 4) appealed to the public not to buy or consume two slimming products named Leg Step and Bello Smaze as they were found to contain an undeclared and controlled drug ingredient that might be dangerous to health.
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     Following a public complaint, samples of the above slimming products were purchased via a social media platform for analysis. Test results from the Government Laboratory revealed that the samples of both products contain sibutramine, which is a Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap 138).
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     The DH’s investigation is continuing.
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     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.         
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     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 can only be sold at a 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.
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     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. The safety, quality and efficacy of unregistered pharmaceutical products are not guaranteed.
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     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 above products should stop taking them immediately. They can also submit the products 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.

        

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced today (April 4) the results of the 2019 annual pay review. The review was undertaken by the Governance Sub-Committee (GSC) of the Exchange Fund Advisory Committee (EFAC).
 
     On the advice of the GSC, the Financial Secretary has approved that the Fixed Pay of HKMA staff will be adjusted upward by a general increase of 2.65 per cent, whereas an allocation of 1.35 per cent of Fixed Pay is set aside for awarding good performers. Variable Pay equivalent to 20.12 per cent of Total Pay will also be paid to staff on the basis of their performance in 2018. Variable Pay is a one-off payment to staff who have attained or exceeded the required level of performance.
 
     The Financial Secretary determines the pay adjustment of HKMA staff each year in the light of recommendations made to him by the GSC through EFAC, taking into account the GSC’s assessment of the performance of the HKMA in the preceding year, the pay-survey findings of the financial sector conducted by independent human resources consultants and any other relevant factors. read more

     Police will implement special traffic arrangements in various districts to facilitate grave sweepers, and to ensure smooth vehicular traffic movements and pedestrian safety during Ching Ming Festival. Hong Kong Island … read more

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (April 3) seized about 91 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $100 million in Sha Tin. This is a record quantity for a seizure of suspected cocaine by Customs in town.

     During an anti-narcotics operation in Sha Tin yesterday afternoon, Customs officers intercepted a man and found about 4 kilograms of suspected cocaine inside his rucksack. The 41-year-old man was then arrested.

     After follow-up investigation, Customs officers escorted the arrested man to a residential premises nearby, where about 87kg of suspected cocaine as well as a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia were further seized.

     Customs believes a suspected dangerous drugs storage centre has been smashed.

     Investigation is ongoing.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

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

  

     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) promoted Hong Kong at three events in Italy from April 1 to 4 (Italy time). The events were the Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF) from April 1 to 4, a briefing for students at Bocconi University in Milan on April 2 and the business seminar “Hong Kong: the engine driving the Asian economy” in Vicenza on April 3.
      
     On April 1, the Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels, Miss Fiona Chau, officiated at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Pavilion at the BCBF held in Bologna. As the world’s leading professional fair for children’s books, the BCBF is an ideal platform to promote Hong Kong’s publishing and printing industry by showcasing its achievements and creativity to the world. 
      
     With the support of HKETO, Brussels and Create Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Publishing Federation and the Hong Kong Printers Association jointly set up the Hong Kong Pavilion with “Soaring Creativity” as the theme at the BCBF. In addition to showcasing Hong Kong’s excellent books, printing techniques and electronic books, the Hong Kong Pavilion also aims to help Hong Kong publishers and printers develop new markets and facilitate exchanges with their counterparts worldwide. At the opening of the Hong Kong Pavilion, guests also enjoyed a popular Hong Kong food, Hong Kong-style waffles.
      
     The following day, Miss Chau gave a presentation to a group of 30 students at Bocconi University in Milan. The students, who will be visiting Hong Kong for in-company training from April 15 to 18, were particularly keen to hear more about Hong Kong and its career opportunities. During their visit to Hong Kong, the students will be divided into two separate groups, with one visiting companies in the fashion and retail industry and the other focusing on financial companies and institutions. 
      
     On April 3, Miss Chau spoke in Vicenza at the business seminar “Hong Kong: the engine driving the Asian economy”, which was co-organised by HKETO, Brussels as well as Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, together with two local partners, namely Nuovo Centro Estero Veneto and Made in Vicenza. Representatives of Italian companies spoke on their success stories of doing business in Hong Kong and the business seminar was followed by a networking lunch.
      
     Miss Chau outlined Hong Kong’s unique advantages under “one country, two systems” and its fundamental strengths as a centre for finance, trade and logistics. She pointed out that Hong Kong enterprises and professionals can offer business networks and world-class services to help Italian enterprises to explore the vast opportunities provided by the Belt and Road Initiative as well as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development. With innovation and technology a major priority of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, innovative Italian companies can also find opportunities in Hong Kong, and the city’s fertile start-up environment can help Italian entrepreneurs turn great ideas into reality.
      
     This was the third business seminar in Italy that HKETO, Brussels has taken part in this year, after seminars it co-hosted in Milan on January 17 and Pulsano on February 1.