Two arrested in Hong Kong illegal vaccine raids
Hkgov · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong's Department of Health and Police have stepped up enforcement against premises allegedly offering the so-called Wilms' tumour 1, or WT1, vaccine with claims that it can prevent cancer. In the latest operation on Thursday, officers arrested two people and seized more than 50 vials of unregistered injectable pharmaceutical products, while investigators also traced possible supply and import links behind the case
Key Points
- The Department of Health and Police arrested one man and one woman on Thursday during a new series of raids across Hong Kong
- Officers searched more than 10 locations linked to alleged WT1 vaccine services and seized over 50 vials from two premises
- The two suspects were arrested on suspicion of illegally possessing unregistered pharmaceutical products and Part 1 poisons under the Pharmacy & Poisons Ordinance
- Department of Health Controller of Regulatory Affairs Dr Fung Ying said the WT1 vaccine is not a registered pharmaceutical product in Hong Kong
- The department had previously inspected HK Pacific Asia Medical Centre and other companies or related organisations promoting the WT1 vaccine on social media
Why It Matters
The case points to a wider enforcement effort against unregistered medical products marketed with cancer-prevention claims, with the Department of Health now tracing the source of the products and involving Customs over possible illegal importation. Doctors and private healthcare facilities can also expect direct reminders from the department that administering illegal pharmaceutical products breaches Hong Kong law