The Department of Health (DH) today (September 8) announced that actions have been taken to investigate Yan Hong Dispensary Limited at Upper Ground Floor, Metro City Phase II in Tseung Kwan O, for suspected illegal possession of an unregistered proprietary Chinese medicine (pCm) called Oleo de Alivio da Dor Cheong Kun.

     Acting upon intelligence, the DH conducted a field investigation on September 6 and seized the above unregistered pCm. Investigations revealed that the packing of the abovementioned product was similar to another locally registered pCm (registration number: HKP-01548) but the English product name was different from the registration record of the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong (CMCHK). In addition, the product is not bearing any Hong Kong pCm registration number and name of a registration holder on its label. Investigations are ongoing.

     According to section 119 of the Chinese Medicine Ordinance (Cap 549), no person shall sell, import or possess any pCm unless it is registered. The maximum penalty is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment. The DH will seek advice from the Department of Justice on prosecution matters upon completion of the investigation, and will refer the case to the CMCHK for consideration of possible disciplinary action.

     Members of the public who have purchased the above unregistered pCm should stop using it immediately. Those who have used it and are feeling unwell should seek advice from healthcare professionals. People who have the product can submit it to the Chinese Medicine Regulatory Office of the DH on 16/F, AIA Kowloon Tower, Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, during office hours for disposal.

     "The public should not buy or use products of doubtful composition or from unknown sources. All registered pCms should carry a Hong Kong registration number on the product label in the format of 'HKC-XXXXX' or 'HKP-XXXXX'. The list of registered pCms is published on the website of the CMCHK (www.cmchk.org.hk/pcm/eng/#main_listpcm.htm) for public reference," the spokesman added.

  

     The Transport Department today (September 8) reminded members of the public that, due to adverse weather conditions, the temporary traffic and transport arrangements scheduled to be implemented at the section of Lung Cheung Road eastbound between Tai Po Road and Lion Rock Tunnel Road from about 1.15am to 5.30am this Sunday (September 10) for facilitating road works will be cancelled.

     The Transport Department today (September 8) reminded members of the public that, due to adverse weather conditions, the temporary traffic and transport arrangements scheduled to be implemented at the section of Lung Cheung Road eastbound between Tai Po Road and Lion Rock Tunnel Road from about 1.15am to 5.30am this Sunday (September 10) for facilitating road works will be cancelled.

     Upon the Government's announcement that extreme conditions continue, the Hospital Authority announces that its general out-patient evening clinics will be closed today (September 8). Patients who have scheduled appointments are advised to make a new appointment later.
      
     The service of Accident and Emergency Department at public hospitals remains normal.

     The Labour Department (LD) today (September 8) again reminded employers that although the black rainstorm warning has been cancelled, "extreme conditions" still exist. All employees other than essential staff should not be required to report for duty at workplaces. Employers should also make flexible arrangements for staff to resume work or work from home (if applicable) even if the post-rainstorm "extreme conditions" cease to exist, with due consideration to road and traffic conditions and other factors.
     
     "When 'extreme conditions' exist, apart from essential staff who have an agreement with their employers to be on duty at workplaces when the 'extreme conditions' exist, employees are advised to stay at the place they are currently in or in safe places, instead of heading for work. The Government will review the situation, and employers and employees should stay alert to further government announcements," an LD spokesman said.
 
     "Once the post-rainstorm 'extreme conditions' cease to exist, employees should follow the work arrangements they have previously agreed on with the employers and resume work or work from home (if applicable). Employers should adopt a sympathetic and flexible approach. Prime consideration should be given to employees' safety at all times.
 
     "For employees who are not able to report for duty or resume work on time due to post-rainstorm 'extreme conditions', employers should not withhold their wages, good attendance bonus or allowances without reasons. Employers should enquire into the reasons and give due consideration to the exceptional circumstances in each case, and should not penalise or dismiss the employee concerned rashly," the spokesman stressed.
 
     The spokesman also reminded employers to observe the statutory liabilities and requirements under the Employment Ordinance, the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, the Employees' Compensation Ordinance and the Minimum Wage Ordinance.
 
     Employers should not deduct annual leave, statutory holidays or rest days to which employees are entitled under the Employment Ordinance to compensate for the loss of working hours resulting from employees' failure to report for duty when the "extreme conditions" exist. An employer who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with the relevant provisions under the Employment Ordinance is liable to prosecution. Employers should also note that they have an obligation to provide and maintain a safe working environment for their employees under the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance.