Two people were arrested at a beauty center in Mong Kok on Monday on suspicion of offering botox injections to clients by unlicensed practitioners.

A spokesman for the Department of Health (DH) said on Tuesday that a joint operation with police was mounted following a public complaint.

According to Cable TV, a local broadcaster, the enforcement team found that during the operation, Peter Siu Ting-wing, a 58-year-old man without a practising license, presented himself as a doctor to his client at First Clinic, a beauty center located on Nathan Road.

Siu's practising license has been suspended by the Medical Council of Hong Kong for four times since 2003. The latest revocation of his license was in March, 2011, for three months. The suspension remains effective at present.

Once a billionaire but adjudged to bankruptcy in 2001, Siu was suspended for 10 months in 2008. His misconduct mostly involved inappropriate prescription of drugs and violation of rules of labeling drug.

Investigations revealed that the self-claimed doctor offered botulinum toxin injection to a client. The product was suspected to have been unregistered. The man was arrested for suspected illegal practice of medicine.

A subsequent search of the premises also revealed Part I poisons and antibiotics. Siu and a 54-year-old woman were arrested for illegal possession of Part I poisons and antibiotics, as well as for possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products.

The joint investigation of the case is ongoing. The duo are on police bail pending further enquiries.

"Botulinum toxin for injection is a prescription medicine, mainly indicated for the treatment of facial spasms. Since the botulinum toxin injection found at the beauty center has not been assessed by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, the statutory authority for drug registration in Hong Kong, its safety, efficacy and quality is uncertain," the spokesman explained.

Illegal possession of a Part I poison and possession of an unregistered pharmaceutical product for the purpose of sale are offences under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of HK$100,000 and two years' imprisonment. Illegal possession of antibiotics is an offence punishable with a fine of HK$30,000 and 12 months' imprisonment. Illegal practice of medicine carries a maximum penalty of three years imprisonment and a fine of HK$100,000.

The spokesman reminded members of the public that invasive beauty procedures, such as injections of chemical substances or pharmaceutical products, may carry risks such as bleeding, infection, scarring and nerve injury.

"These procedures require a client's informed choice, and potential users are advised to discuss with their doctors, the benefits and risks and the full details of the procedure, before making a decision," he remarked.

The case arose as the government moves forward with its effort to regulate high-risk procedures at beauty centers. A woman died and three others were hospitalized after receiving a blood transfusion "health treatment" at a DR Beauty chain center.

A panel has been set up to review the regulation of private healthcare facilities in the city. The guidelines setting out risky medical treatments that beauty centers should not provide to clients should be ready by the middle of next year.

Li Likui contributed to this story.

joylu@chinadailyhk.com

(HK Edition 11/07/2012 page1)