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.