Original Title: Hong Kong Lawmakers Demand MSD Publish List of Clinics Supplying Authentic Vaccines to Prevent Profiteering from Parallel Imports
The Paper (www.thepaper.cn) reported on June 5 that it is suspected of being involved in# Counterfeit 9-valent HPV Vaccine for Cervical Cancer(Human Papillomavirus Vaccine) Hong Kong Asia Physical Examination Group (hereinafter referred to as "Asia Company") has posted a notice of liquidation and closure, stating that the company's bank account was frozen by the bank two weeks ago, and the person in charge is involved in a lawsuit, announcing the liquidation and closure.
On June 5, Hong Kong Legislative Council members Chiang Lai-wan and Mak Pui-fan held a press conference at the Legislative Council Complex to address the liquidation and closure of a group suspected of illegally providing HPV vaccines.
The legislator stated that MSD Hong Kong has been requested to publish a list of clinics supplying HPV vaccines for public access, so that residents can identify which clinics offer authentic vaccines.
Two Individuals Detained by Customs Are Associated with Huanya Company
At the press conference, LegCo member Mak Pui-fan of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) pointed out that after Global Asia Company posted a notice of liquidation and closure, she received a large number of complaints. The complainants stated that Global Asia was under investigation by the Department of Health and Customs and Excise Department, yet it suddenly went into liquidation and ceased operations before any findings were released. They believed the clinic was evading responsibility, which had undermined their confidence in Hong Kong’s medical institutions. Mak Pui-fan expressed that the recent incident involving smuggled nine-valent HPV vaccines had damaged the overall reputation of Hong Kong’s healthcare sector, and thus she was paying close attention to the matter.
Ms. Grace Mak stated that she had contacted the Department of Health and the Customs and Excise Department, which indicated that it had arrested the persons in charge of the medical examination centre (one male and one female), who were suspected of violating the Import and Export Ordinance.
As previously reported by The Paper, according to a press release from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the Customs and Excise Department of Hong Kong earlier conducted joint operations with relevant authorities, raiding two clinics belonging to a medical check-up group, located in Yau Ma Tei (Jordan) and Kwun Tong respectively. Following investigations, customs officers arrested a 61-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman. The case is currently under investigation, and the arrested individuals are currently on bail pending further inquiries.
At a press conference, Regina Ip pointed out that she believed the two arrested individuals were associated with Asia Allied Corporation, which had gone into liquidation and ceased operations. Meanwhile, the Department of Health stated that it had received more than 400 complaints regarding “parallel-imported injections,” involving 30 clinics.
Ms. Kepi Fan stated that she had referred the complainant’s concerns to the Hong Kong Department of Health. However, the Department only responded that it would strengthen investigation and enforcement efforts in collaboration with the Customs and Excise Department, and clarified that it could not intervene in the relationship between the victims and the clinic in question, nor assist them in seeking compensation.
Lawmakers Call on MSD to Disclose Clinic List
Ms. Chiang Lai-wan, a Legislative Council member and health affairs spokesperson for the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), stated that she had recently received nearly 1,000 emails concerning HPV vaccination, in which senders expressed suspicion that the vaccines they had received were unauthorized parallel imports. The majority of these individuals were from the mainland, with a small number being Hong Kong residents. Regarding the liquidation and closure of certain medical clinics, she expressed concern that others might emulate this practice to evade legal liability or compensation obligations through liquidation, only to later “rise from the ashes” by reopening under a new name.
Ms. Chiang Lai-wan stated that the Department of Health and the Medical Council need to regulate such situations, review whether there are deficiencies in the management of these medical clinics under the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance, and make improvements as soon as possible.
Ms. Chiang Lai-wan believes that, given the current advancements in technology, the Hong Kong Department of Health should require pharmaceutical manufacturers to incorporate QR codes indicating the origin of medications. This would enable patients to scan the QR codes on drug packaging with their mobile phones to verify the source of the medicines, thereby preventing unscrupulous individuals from profiting through the introduction of parallel imports or even counterfeit drugs, which could jeopardize public health.
Ge Peifan also stated that she had requested MSD Hong Kong to publish a list of clinics supplying HPV vaccines and upload it to their website for public access, so that citizens can know which clinics have genuine vaccine supplies.
Ge Peifan urged individuals preparing to receive the HPV vaccine, whether Hong Kong residents or mainland Chinese, not to trust intermediary companies. She emphasized that they must personally seek out reputable medical institutions, as all the complaints she has received so far involve vaccinations administered through intermediary agencies.
Ms. Elizabeth Quat stated that the Department of Health has indicated a current shortage in the supply of the nine-valent HPV vaccine, making it an inopportune time for vaccination. If members of the public decide to proceed with vaccination, they must verify whether the vaccine has been registered. Any inquiries can be addressed by using the “Hong Kong Registered Pharmaceutical Products” search system on the Department of Health’s website, where one can enter product details, including the name and registration number, to confirm the vaccine’s registration status. Vaccination should not be accepted if there are any doubts regarding its authenticity. Individuals who have already received the vaccine and are concerned about its genuineness should seek advice from registered healthcare professionals and may undergo blood tests for verification.
Ms. Ko Pui-fan finally pointed out that she had requested the Department of Health to strengthen regulatory oversight, and that the Department should once again call on the Medical Council and doctors to exercise self-discipline and refrain from testing the law. Meanwhile, the Department of Health should also enhance regulatory patrols to monitor issues such as vaccine supply sources and re-exportation.