Customs seize 76 boxes of suspected counterfeit HPV vaccines in Hong Kong after patient complains of redness and swelling at injected area
- The Health Department has received more than 1,000 complaints related to HPV vaccines this year
- Vaccines are being tested for ingredients as chief pharmacist urges people to get shots only from doctors they trust
Customs officials have seized 76 boxes of suspected counterfeit HPV (human papillomavirus) shots in what could be the first ever recovery of fake vaccines in Hong Kong. Two people have been arrested.
The vaccines, with an estimated market value of HK$174,800 (US$22,352), were confiscated from Harmony Medical Care Services located at Entrepot Centre in Kwun Tong.
During a joint operation by the Customs and Excise Department and the Department of Health on Wednesday, 47 boxes of genuine vaccines were also taken away from the facility, with the estimated market value of all the goods totalling to about HK$280,000.
Lot Chan Sze-tao, chief pharmacist at the Department of Health’s drug office, said they received a complaint after a person got an HPV shot at the medical centre earlier this month.
“The complainant spoke of very mild redness and swelling at the injected area,” Chan said, adding they did not receive any other complaints regarding the medical centre.
