Illegal sales of cough syrup by dispensaries - mostly to young drug abusers - are declining following increased inspections, the Department of Health says. There are between 50 and 60 prosecutions every year of pharmacies and drug stores, resulting in up to 50 convictions. Dr Heston Kwong Kwok-wai, assistant director of health, said about 80 per cent of convictions were for the illegal sale of drugs without a pharmacist's supervision. Some 20 per cent of these cases covered the sale of cough syrup. The rest involved controlled drugs such as sleeping pills, antibiotics, steroids and medicine for erectile dysfunction. In recent years, cough syrup has been abused by many young drug users. In line with the government's efforts to target drug abusers, the department has stepped up inspections targeting the sale of cough syrup. The department increased the number of operations to spot check the selling of cough syrup from 400 in 2002, to 1,600 in 2006, and 2,600 last year. In 2007-08, cough syrup accounted for nearly 40 per cent of illegally sold drugs. The ratio dropped to 20 per cent last year after more inspections. Kwong believes illegal sales of drugs will decline if pharmacists are present during all business hours in pharmacies - as recommended by a government review committee. At present, pharmacists have to be on the premises for two-thirds of business hours. 'Some drug stores sell controlled drugs outside pharmacists' work hours for the sake of convenience to patients. We believe that such a situation will not happen in the future,' he said. The maximum penalty for the sale of controlled drugs or unregistered drugs is a HK$100,000 fine and two years' imprisonment. The most serious penalties in the past five years were handed down over the illegal sale of a dangerous drug. A pharmacy sold a box of Duromine prescription capsules - a slimming agent and dangerous drug - without proper supervision by a pharmacist and sales records. Two salesmen was convicted with one sentenced to three months' jail and the other to 100 hours of community service. Kwong said ideally an inspection team should stay for about half a day to check all sales records and prescriptions. But the department only has a small team of 20 pharmacists and wants to expand its team. Each pharmacy or drug store is inspected at least twice a year. The Legislative Council's Public Accounts Committee has criticised the department for not making test purchases of controlled drugs at weekends and at night when illegal sales may be more prevalent.
