Man Arrested For Lying To Get Covid Drugs

Police said on Tuesday they had arrested a man on suspicion of getting Covid drugs for free by lying about catching the virus.

The 63-year-old is alleged to have gone to nine private clinics in two days for anti-viral medication supplied by the government.

In a statement, the administration said it had noticed "suspicious" prescription records on its electronic health record system and passed the cases to the police to follow up.

It warned that obtaining Covid drugs through improper means may constitute fraud, an offence which carries a maximum penalty of 14 years' imprisonment.

"Members of the public are also reminded not to resell or provide to others prescribed Covid-19 oral drugs legally obtained from doctors, regardless of whether the drugs are supplied by the Government for free or self-purchased from the doctors," the statement read.

The government said selling or giving out free drugs that require a doctor's prescription is against the law, and punishable by a maximum fine of HK$100,000 and two years' in prison.