Hong Kong hospitals to hand out fewer drugs to reduce waste

Hong Kong public hospitals will dispense fewer drugs to patients - a maximum of 24 weeks’ supply at the prescribed dose - to reduce the amount of medication being wasted.

The Hospital Authority’s plan will commence on March 24, in a bid to reduce prescribed drugs from going to waste while allowing for a review of the patient's condition and medication adherence.

The authority's chief pharmacist, William Chui Chun-ming, said the new plan mainly concerns medication for chronic illnesses such as blood pressure and cardiology drugs.

He explained that some patients mistakenly discontinue their medication when they believe their condition has improved, while elderly patients may forget to take it. 

Additionally, some patients stop taking their medication when they experience side effects or believe the medication is causing discomfort, he said.

Changes in a patient's condition may also necessitate a switch in medication, contributing to medication leftovers, he added.

Meanwhile, the Hospital Authority said it will tailor the dosage of medication for patients, such as painkillers and ointments, based on each patient's needs and condition.

If a patient no longer exhibits symptoms and does not require medication, there may be no need to prescribe the daily dosage, reducing unnecessary medication intake, according to the Hospital Authority.