A Sydney pharmacist who sold a cervical cancer vaccine in short supply to a buyer in Hong Kong is now fighting the suspension of her pharmaceutical licence, claiming the decision to sell the vaccine overseas has ruined her life.
For her role in selling the Gardasil vaccine from her Mosman pharmacy to a Hong Kong buyer for $30,000 Ms Gong was initially jailed, spending what she described as seven “traumatic” nights in jail before her appeal was heard.
Her sentence was later reduced to 40 hours community service.
Ms Gong, a University of Sydney graduate was originally sentenced to eight months in jail for supplying 2,000 vials of ‘Gardisal 9’ to a 31-year-old male associate, who then smuggled the drug overseas.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Ms Gong insisted she was unaware that she was breaking any laws by selling the drug internationally and is quoted as saying ‘Why would I jeopardise my passion, all that I have worked for and a beautiful pharmacy in Mosman?”
Ms Gong claims her decision to ship the product, was partially inspired by her desire to provide more access to women in Hong Kong.
The owner of the Harmony Pharmacy and Wellness Clinic in Mosman pleaded guilty to three counts of prohibition on wholesale supply of certain substances and is now fighting the suspension of her pharmaceutical licence.
