Tag Archives: China

     The Department of Health (DH) today (February 8) endorsed a licensed proprietary Chinese medicine (pCm) manufacturer, Wong Tai Chiu Medicine Fty (Wong Tai Chiu), to voluntarily recall from the market one batch (batch number: 0467) of a pCm, namely [Wong Tai Chiu Medicine Fty] Ser Lee Tan (registration number: HKP-07855), as the total aerobic count of that batch of pCm exceeded the microbial limit set out by the Chinese Medicines Board of the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong (CMCHK).

     Upon receipt of notification from the Health Bureau of Macao, the DH initiated field investigation immediately and collected samples from Wong Tai Chiu for analysis. Upon testing by the DH’s Public Health Laboratory Centre, the result today revealed that the total aerobic count of the aforementioned batch of pCm was found to be 50 000 per gram, which was about 1.7 times the maximum limit set out by the CMCHK.

     Preliminary investigation showed that the batch of pCm concerned was manufactured by Wong Tai Chiu and is indicated for treating diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain. The batch concerned was entirely exported to Macao and was not distributed in Hong Kong. Wong Tai Chiu has set up a hotline (2395 5439) for public enquiries.

     “So far, no adverse report related to the use of the pCm has been received by the DH. We will closely monitor the recall. Investigation is ongoing,” a spokesman for the DH said.
 
     According to section 52 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132), selling any drug not of the nature, substance or quality demanded by the purchaser is liable to a maximum penalty of $10,000 and three months’ imprisonment. Upon completion of investigation, the DH will work with the Department of Justice on prosecution matters and will also refer the case to the CMCHK for possible disciplinary action.

     The DH urged members of the public who have purchased the above batch of pCm to stop using it immediately. Those who have taken the pCm and feel unwell should seek advice from healthcare professionals. The public can submit the pCm to the Chinese Medicine Division of the DH on 16/F, AIA Kowloon Tower, Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, during office hours for disposal.

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     One nomination for the by-election for the Tai Nan Constituency of the Yau Tsim Mong District Council was received by the Returning Officer today (February 8), the first day of the nomination period.      … read more

     Goldwell Engineering & Projects Limited was prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for failing to pay on time statutory holiday pay, annual leave pay and defaulting on a sum awarded by the Labour Tribunal (LT), in violation of the Employment Ordinance (EO). The employer pleaded guilty at Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts today (February 8) and was fined a total of $75,000. 

     The employer failed to pay five employees’ statutory holiday pay and annual leave pay totalling about $32,000 as required by the EO. The employer also failed to pay awarded sums of about $23,000 to those five employees within 14 days after the specified payment date of the LT award. 

     “The ruling helps disseminate a strong message to all employers that they have to pay statutory holiday pay and annual leave pay to employees within the time limit stipulated in the EO and awarded sums according to the terms of the awards of the LT or Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board. The LD will not tolerate these offences and will continue to make dedicated efforts in enforcing the EO and safeguarding employees’ statutory rights,” a spokesman for the LD said. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (February 8) 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:
 

Sex	Female
Age	40
Affected area involved	Dubai, United Arab Emirates
High-risk exposure	Nil
Hospital	Prince of Wales Hospital
Condition	Stable
MERS-Coronavirus preliminary test result	Pending

 
     “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-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-Coronavirus (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. read more

     The Department of Justice (DoJ) today (February 8) launched a public consultation to seek views on the proposed Mainland Judgments in Matrimonial and Family Cases (Reciprocal Recognition and Enforcement) Bill (the Bill) and the proposed Mainland Judgments in Matrimonial and Family Cases (Reciprocal Recognition and Enforcement) Rules (the Rules).
      
     In view of the increasing number of cross-boundary marriages and related matrimonial matters between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Mainland, the Government of the HKSAR and the Supreme People’s Court signed the Arrangement on Reciprocal Recognition and Enforcement of Civil Judgments in Matrimonial and Family Cases by the Courts of the Mainland and of the HKSAR (the Arrangement) on June 20, 2017, so as to establish a mechanism for reciprocal recognition and enforcement of civil judgments in matrimonial and family cases between the two places.
      
     A spokesman of the DoJ said, “The Arrangement, when implemented, will provide better safeguards to families, in particular, parties to cross-boundary marriages and their children.”
      
     The Arrangement will be implemented in the HKSAR by legislation. For this purpose, the DoJ has prepared the draft Bill and draft Rules for public consultation.
      
     The draft Bill mainly seeks to establish mechanisms in the HKSAR for registration of specified orders contained in a Mainland judgment given in a matrimonial or family case, application for recognition in the HKSAR of a Mainland divorce certificate and certification by a HKSAR court of a HKSAR judgment given in a matrimonial or family case for the purpose of seeking recognition and enforcement of the judgment in the Mainland.
      
     The draft Rules lay down the practice and procedures relating to the applications made to a HKSAR court under the Bill, for example, the requirements for affidavit in support of a registration application.
      
     The Consultation Paper together with the draft Bill and draft Rules is now available on the DoJ’s website: www.doj.gov.hk/eng/public/pdf/2019/matrimonial_bill.pdf. The consultation period will end on March 8, 2019.
      
     All submissions may be sent to the China Law Unit, Legal Policy Division, Department of Justice: by mail to 5/F, East Wing, Justice Place, 18 Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong; by fax to 3918 4799; or by email to matrimonialbill@doj.gov.hk. read more