Under the fifth wave of the epidemic, the Hospital Authority purchased unregistered mainland medicines, including "paracetamol", which aroused social concern.
Cui Junming, president of the Hong Kong Society of Hospital Pharmacists, said in the Hong Kong and Taiwan "Millennium" this morning (19th) that unregistered drugs are commonly prescribed in hospitals, and the introduction of mainland-made drugs is not a new thing, including "life-saving" use or acceptance. Due to the tight supply of medicines, the Department of Health is responsible for checking the quality and safety of its medicines.
Cui Junming pointed out that during the fifth wave of the epidemic, the demand for "paracetamol" increased sharply, and the introduction of mainland drugs was a buffer measure, and most of the raw materials for such ingredients were manufactured in the mainland.
He emphasized that as long as the specifications are met, the effect is the same as that of the original drug.
Cui Junming, President of the Hong Kong Society of Hospital Pharmacists.
(File photo/Photo by Gao Zhongming)
Cui Junming pointed out that it is common for the Hospital Authority to use unregistered drugs, including cancer patients who use registered drugs but still fail to work, doctors will apply for new foreign drugs for them, but the "life-saving" drugs need to be used by named patients.
In addition, some of the time also involves the supply of pharmaceutical factories. If there is a problem with the supply of the relevant drug or the production is stopped, the authorities need to urgently find another way to search for similar drugs.
Due to the failure to register in Hong Kong in time, it is used conditionally.
He went on to point out that the registration of drugs in Hong Kong is controlled by the Department of Health, and the authorities will know the documents of the pharmaceutical companies and whether they have Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, as well as the conditions of the factory. Drug safety and efficacy are paramount.
He said that most drug registration initiative lies with pharmaceutical companies, and some pharmaceutical companies may not choose to register in Hong Kong due to the small market in Hong Kong. This time the initiative lies with the government or public organizations. Due to the shortage of related drugs, they hope to use them temporarily. to ease demand.
Under the fifth wave of the epidemic, "paracetamol" and other drugs were sold out:
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As long as it meets the specifications, the effect is the same as the original drug
The HA has earlier introduced a mainland painkiller with "paracetamol" ingredients and an antibiotic "cefoxitin sodium for injection".
He said that during the fifth wave of the epidemic, the demand for paracetamol, whether in the community or medical institutions, increased sharply, and there was a surge of panic buying around the world.
He described the introduction of mainland medicines as a buffer. Many foreign-made "paracetamol" have most of their raw materials manufactured in the mainland, "so ask China to be the fastest."
He pointed out that paracetamol is a non-original drug, and emphasized that the Department of Health has monitored its production quality and GMP standards.
Cui Junming also mentioned that another drug imported from the mainland is an antibiotic.
He pointed out that the use of mainland medicines by the HA is not a new thing. Many foreign factories no longer produce antibiotics and saline for injection due to low profits, so they will introduce medicines made in the mainland, and the Department of Health will also check.
Some netizens posted on social media that their friend recently went to Queen Mary Hospital for a follow-up consultation and was prescribed mainland painkillers and stomach medicine.
(Netizen Facebook picture)
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