Consumer watchdog: jump in complaints with medicine & health products

The Consumer Council has received nearly 1,200 complaints involving medicines and health products so far this year, a 50 percent increase from a year earlier.

Complaints involving electrical appliances have also risen by 18 percent.

In one case, a complainant bought a Chinese herbal medicine known as Black Knotweed from a pharmacy, expected to pay 140 dollars for half a catty, but was latter quoted 22,400 dollars, which is 160 times the expected price. The customer eventually paid 11,000 dollars and complained to Customs.

After investigation, a shop assistant was convicted of violating the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, and was ordered to perform community service and compensate the complainant.

From January to July this year, the Consumer Council received 1,190 complaints involving medicines and health products, about a quarter of them involved poor sales practice.

KENNETH CHAN KIN-NIN, Vice-Chairman, Committee on Sustainablity, Public Affairs and Education: "Many visitors to HongKong like to purchase medicines, medical oils or herbal medicines for personal use or as gifts. The Consumer Council has in the past repeatedly urged unscrpulous traders to abandon misleading sales practice."

During the same period, the Consumer Council also received more than 1,400 complaints involving electrical appliances, an 18 percent increase from last year.

About half of the increase was related to air conditioners, which may be linked to the hotter weather.

The complaints mainly include product quality, delivery delays, after-sales follow-up and cross-border purchases.

ALAINA SHUM, Chief Executive, Consumer Council: "The Council has established a complaint referral mechanism with consumer counterparts in 35 regions and countries including mainland provinces and Macau."

Consumers are advised to check prices, delivery dates and refund policies, and seek help from the Consumer Council if disputes arise.