Consumer Council Reports 50% Surge in Medicine, Health Product Complaints Amid Deceptive Sales Tactics
On.cc · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong's Consumer Council has documented a significant rise in consumer complaints regarding medicines and health products, with 1,190 cases recorded in the first seven months of this year—representing an increase of over 50 percent year-on-year . The complaints highlight persistent issues with deceptive sales practices, including the manipulation of pricing units and misleading product packaging that closely resembles established brands . The Commerce and Economic Development Branch (Customs and Excise Department) has taken enforcement action, arresting and convicting two retail staff for violating the Trade Descriptions Ordinance . These cases underscore ongoing concerns about consumer protection in Hong Kong's retail sector, particularly affecting inbound tourists who constitute a significant portion of purchasers at medicine shops .
Key Points
- The Consumer Council received 1,190 complaints about medicines and health products from January to July this year, a surge of more than 50 percent compared to the same period last year .
- Sales practice complaints constitute approximately 25 percent of all medicine and health product grievances, with pricing unit confusion and counterfeit packaging being the most common issues .
- In one case, a tourist purchased herbs priced at 280 HKD, only to discover the actual charge was 22,400 HKD after grinding, as the price was per qian rather than per jin .
- The two arrested staff members were sentenced to 120 hours of community service and ordered to pay compensation to the victim, following a Customs investigation .
- Another tourist complained about receiving products with similar English names differing by just two letters, and one item had less than six months before expiry instead of the standard three-year shelf life .
Why It Matters
The sharp increase in complaints and successful prosecution of retail staff sends a clear message that Hong Kong authorities are actively enforcing consumer protection laws and will not tolerate deceptive sales practices that tarnish the city's reputation as a premier shopping destination . Both the Consumer Council and Customs Department are urging the industry to adopt transparent pricing practices and provide complete product information, while advising consumers to refrain from authorizing any processing of goods—such as grinding or slicing—before confirming the final transaction amount .
The sharp increase in complaints and successful prosecution of retail staff sends a clear message that Hong Kong authorities are actively enforcing consumer protection laws and will not tolerate deceptive sales practices that tarnish the city's reputation as a premier shopping destination . Both the Consumer Council and Customs Department are urging the industry to adopt transparent pricing practices and provide complete product information, while advising consumers to refrain from authorizing any processing of goods—such as grinding or slicing—before confirming the final transaction amount .