The doctor in Yat Tung Shopping Centre, Tung Chung, involved in the cough-syrup mix-up may be prosecuted, the Department of Health says.

Investigations found that five out of 14 bottles of syrup prescribed by the general practitioner contained isopropyl alcohol. He is suspected to have supplied a drug unfit for consumption, which is an offence under the Public Health & Municipal Services Ordinance.

Under the Pharmacy & Poisons Ordinance, possession and sale of unregistered pharmaceutical products is an offence. All evidence obtained will be referred to the Department of Justice.

Doctors should ensure that any pharmaceutical products offered for sale are registered. The list of all registered pharmaceutical products in Hong Kong can be checked here. To report suspected supply of unregistered pharmaceutical products call the department's complaint hotline 2572 2068.

Patients contacted

The department has so far contacted 29 of the 31 patients who had been prescribed the syrup since August. The remaining two patients cannot be contacted due to wrong telephone numbers.

Of these 29 patients, seven reported throat irritation, nausea or vomiting after taking the syrup. A six-year-old boy admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital on September 5, was discharged three days later. All the patients have been given health advice.

The department's hotline 2125 2727 has so far received 119 calls. Of them, 14 are reported to have received the prescribed syrup from the doctor. They have been given health advice.