Control of counterfeit drugs in Hong Kong has been effective, and there is no imminent need to adopt radiofrequency identification technology on pharmaceutical products as this is still at an early stage of development, Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr York Chow says.

Responding to a query in the Legislative Council today, Dr Chow noted counterfeit cases in the past involved only low-level retail activities of a relatively limited scale, and the situation has remained relatively stable.

Last year saw the prosecution of 15 cases relating to counterfeit pharmaceutical products, with 14 convicted. The highest penalty imposed was a $10,000 fine.

Regarding the US Food & Drug Administration's guide for implementing radiofrequency identification technology feasibility studies and pilot programmes on pharmaceutical products, Dr Chow said drug companies are encouraged to test the technology. However, only a few have plans to use the technology, and only on selected products that are more susceptible to counterfeiting.

As the application of the technology for pharmaceutical products is at an early stage, Dr Chow said the Government will keep a close watch on the latest developments, having regard to the nature of the local pharmaceutical business here.

Top priority

He stressed the Government accords priority to combating counterfeit pharmaceutical products. Drug retail outlets are monitored and inspected, and 6,485 inspections were made last year.

Test purchases are also carried out to detect any illegal sale of medicines, with 3,827 test purchases and 112 prosecutions conducted last year, including those relating to the sale of unregistered drugs. 

Customs will continue to co-operate closely with the pharmaceutical industry and the Department of Health to combat counterfeit pharmaceutical products, he added.