The Department of Health has issued a press release ahead of the National Day Golden Week to remind the public, including tourists, to exercise caution when purchasing medicines in Hong Kong and to verify whether a shop is a registered pharmacy.

Members are invited to note the following key points:

The Department of Health has stepped up inspections of Authorized Sellers of Poisons, commonly known as pharmacies, and Listed Sellers of Poisons, commonly known as medicine companies, particularly in tourist areas.
Members of the public and visitors should check whether a shop displays the prescribed pharmacy logo and verify that it is a registered pharmacy before purchasing medicines.
Medicine companies are not registered pharmacies and do not have a registered duty pharmacist on site. They are not permitted to use the pharmacy logo or the title “pharmacy”, “dispensary”, “drug-store” or “藥房”.
Illegal use of pharmacy logos or titles, and the illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or controlled medicines, are criminal offences. Upon conviction, offenders are liable to a maximum fine of HK$100,000 and two years’ imprisonment.
All registered pharmaceutical products in Hong Kong should carry a Hong Kong registration number in the format “HK-XXXXX” on the product packaging.
Members of the public should not purchase or consume medicines of doubtful composition or from unknown sources, including through online sales platforms, instant messaging applications or social media.
Members of the public and tourists may use the eHealth App “Licence Scanner” to scan the QR code displayed at pharmacies to verify whether the pharmacy is licensed.

The Department of Health has also prepared educational materials titled “3 Steps to Buying Medicines Wisely” to help visitors identify licensed pharmacies and registered drugs in Hong Kong.

For details, please refer to the Department of Health’s press release below:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202609/25/P2026092500263.htm?fontSize=1

Members are encouraged to share the above information with relevant staff and guests where appropriate.