A new reward scheme will be launched to encourage consumers to report counterfeit pharmaceutical products.

Under the scheme, those offering information leading to formal charges against people or companies involved in such activities will get reward money.

The Customs & Excise Department and the HK Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry today entered into an agreement to launch the reward scheme which will be financed by the association and administered by the department.

Reward money will be paid in two stages:

* Initial payment of $5,000: for information received which leads to any seizure of counterfeit or trade mark infringed pharmaceutical products and formal charge against the person or company involved; and,

* Additional payment of $5,000: for information that ultimately results in the criminal conviction of the person or company involved.

To report counterfeit pharmaceutical product activities, call the Customs hotline 2545 6182.

Between January and October, Customs officers seized about $150,000 worth of counterfeit pharmaceutical products and arrested 53 people.