Singaporean’s HK$30,400 bill sparks warning over Hong Kong pharmacy malpractices

Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog has recorded 548 complaints against pharmacies for malpractice in the first eight months of this year, warning that deceptive selling tactics could erode tourists’ confidence, after a Singaporean was charged 100 times the normal price for the herbs she bought.

The Consumer Council said on Monday that among the “unscrupulous sales practices” it received in recent months against pharmacies and medicine shops was the deliberate use of unclear pricing units.

They also included the promotion of imitation products with nearly identical packaging to mislead consumers, and discrepancies between receipt descriptions and actual quantities purchased, leading to denied refund requests.

“These malpractices not only damage the reputation of Hong Kong’s retail and tourism industries, but also undermine tourists’ confidence in shopping across the city,” the watchdog said.

The council also highlighted how these incidents had persisted despite its public reprimand of four pharmacies in 2023 and multiple enforcement actions taken by the customs.