The Department of Health (DH) today (March 21) urged the public not to buy or consume a health product named BIONERGY as it was found to contain an undeclared controlled substance. ​    
 
     Acting upon intelligence, the DH collected samples of the above product for analysis. Test results from the Government Laboratory confirmed that the samples contain nortadalafil, a Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (PPO) (Cap 138). ​    
 
     The DH's investigation is continuing. ​    
 
     "Nortadalafil is an analogue of tadalafil, a prescription drug ingredient used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Side effects of tadalafil include low blood pressure, headache, vomiting, dizziness and transient vision disturbances. It may interact with some drugs (such as nitroglycerin for the treatment of angina) and cause decrease in blood pressure to dangerous levels. Nortadalafil, being chemically similar to tadalafil, is expected to pose similar health risks," a spokesman for the DH said.    
 
     According to the PPO, the illegal sale or possession of Part 1 poisons is a criminal offence. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.
 
     The spokesman strongly urges members of the public not to buy or consume products of doubtful composition. People who have purchased the above product should stop taking it immediately and consult healthcare professionals for advice if in doubt or feeling unwell after consumption. They may submit the product to the DH's Drug Office at Room 1856, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for disposal.

    

     Hong Kong Customs seized about 2 kilograms of suspected ketamine with an estimated market value of about $1 million at Hong Kong International Airport on March 18.

     Customs officers inspected an air mail parcel from Germany on March 18 and found the batch of suspected ketamine concealed in six food packing boxes in the parcel. After follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday (March 20) arrested a man suspected to be in connection with the case in Sham Tseng. 

     The arrested man, aged 22, has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (March 22).

     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 latest test results of the opening-up investigation in the second stage of the holistic assessment strategy for the Hung Hom Station Extension under the Shatin to Central Link (SCL) project (as at March 21) are now available at the Highways Department's website for the SCL project (www.hyd.gov.hk/en/road_and_railway/railway_projects/scl/index.html) for reference by the public.

The following is issued on behalf of the Transport Advisory Committee:                  
      
     The Transport Complaints Unit (TCU) of the Transport Advisory Committee received 7 918 complaints and suggestions in the fourth quarter of 2018, with 47 pure suggestions. The total number of cases represents an increase of 7.1 per cent as compared with 7 394 cases in the previous quarter and an increase of 18.8 per cent when compared with 6 666 cases in the same quarter of 2017.
      
     The complaints and suggestions received during the quarter were mostly related to public transport services (87 per cent), enforcement matters (10 per cent) and traffic conditions (1 per cent).
      
     The number of cases on public transport services increased by 6.5 per cent from 6 461 in the previous quarter to 6 880 this quarter, while complaints and suggestions on traffic conditions decreased from 131 to 121. Cases about road maintenance decreased from 56 to 33 and the number of complaints about illegal parking and other enforcement matters increased from 700 to 860.
      
     All the complaints and suggestions received by the TCU in the quarter were referred to the relevant government departments and public transport operators for follow-up action.
      
     During the period under review, investigations into 7 472 cases were completed. Of these, 5 466 cases (73 per cent) were found to be substantiated, 73 cases (1 per cent) were unsubstantiated, and the remaining 1 933 cases (26 per cent) could not be pursued due to lack of evidence.
      
     For the substantiated cases, the relevant government departments and public transport operators have either taken steps to rectify the situation or are considering possible solutions to the problems identified. Among these cases, 104 drivers were summonsed by the Police.
      
     During the quarter, the relevant government departments and public transport operators took on board 14 suggestions made by the public to enhance public transport services and improve traffic conditions. A summary of the cases is in the Appendix.
      
     Members of the public may make their suggestions or complaints to the TCU by dialling the hotline 2889 9999 (voice mail service is available outside office hours), by fax to 2577 1858, by email to info@tcu.gov.hk or by filling in a form on the TCU website (www.info.gov.hk/tcu).

The following is issued on behalf of the Transport Advisory Committee:

     The Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) today discussed (March 21) the fare increase applications submitted by the urban, New Territories and Lantau taxi trade.
           
     "The TAC noted the operating situation and financial position of the taxi trade. In deliberating on the fare increase applications, we have considered and balanced all relevant factors including financial viability of taxi operation and public acceptability," the TAC Chairman, Professor Stephen Cheung, said.
      
     "As with other fare increase applications, the TAC will submit its recommendation to the Government for consideration by the Chief Executive in Council," Professor Cheung added.
      
     Members of the TAC noted the public concern over taxi service quality and welcomed the measures taken forward by the Government and the taxi trade in concerted efforts through the Committee on Taxi Service Quality to enhance the taxi service quality, which include updating the taxi service standards and guidelines, launching online training courses for enhancing in-service taxi drivers' service quality, organising the enhanced Taxi Driver Commendation Scheme and enhancing the mechanism for handling complaints relating to taxi service. 
      
     Members welcomed the measures taken forward by the taxi trade on its own initiatives in recent years, such as providing re-training courses and pre-service skill training courses and launching a mobile application for hailing taxi service. 
      
     Furthermore, Members also noted the Government's plan to submit legislative proposals to the Legislative Council in 2019 for introducing a "Taxi Driver-Offence Points System" and raising the penalty levels for repeated contravention of taxi drivers' malpractices, as well as introducing franchised taxis with online hailing features in response to the new demand in the community for personalised and point-to-point public transport services.