A Chinese medicine practitioner was yesterday fined $7,500 for managing an unregistered clinic and possessing thousands of tablets and antibiotics without authorisation.
Chan Tung-choi, 60, who had run the Science Research Acupoint Clinic in Sheung Wan since 1997, was convicted by Western Court on August 10 of managing an unregistered clinic and possessing Part One poisons and antibiotics without authorisation. He denied the charges.
An unauthorised ultra-sound device, an X-ray box and about 5,000 antibiotic tablets and other drugs were found when police raided Chan's clinic on December 1, the court heard.
Magistrate Wong Yu-wing L decided to give Chan an 'exceptionally lenient'' sentence after considering his background report, which described him as having a good character and reputation. There was also no evidence to show that his offences had harmed anyone.
But he reminded Chan that inappropriate use of drugs could cause serious problems.
In mitigation, barrister Hectar Pun said Chan was worried the conviction would affect his registration with the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong. Mr Pun said Chan did not intentionally cheat his patients and was devoted to the research of Chinese medicine, having studied it for more than 10 years.