Hong Kong Hospital Authority Clarifies Drug Collection Misinformation

Hong Kong's Hospital Authority announced that claims of patients not collecting medications after fee adjustments are false, based on their review of public healthcare drug dispensing data. The Authority emphasizes that no patient will be denied appropriate treatment due to financial reasons.

Fri Apr 24 2026

Current Status of Drug Collection in Public Healthcare

The Hong Kong Hospital Authority (HA) has reviewed its drug dispensing data from public hospitals and clinics, stating that recent claims of a large number of patients not collecting medications after healthcare fee adjustments are inaccurate. The non-collection rate for prescriptions in the first quarter of this year was 2.4%, which is similar to last year's 2.2%. Approximately 72% of the uncollected prescriptions in the first two months of this year were for patients who, after consultation with their doctors, confirmed they had sufficient medication at home and did not require additional collection. Another 12% were for as-needed medications, such as fever reducers or artificial tears.

HA's Measures and Patient Education

The HA emphasized that the assertion that patients are not collecting medications due to changes in public healthcare fees is not factual. Doctors engage in patient consultations during diagnosis and prescription to understand their medication usage habits and existing supply at home. If patients have an adequate stock of medication, doctors advise against redundant collections from the pharmacy to prevent excessive accumulation and waste of drugs. The demand for as-needed medications in the first quarter of this year saw an approximate 7% decrease compared to the same period last year.

The HA reiterated its commitment to ensuring that no patient is denied access to appropriate medical treatment due to financial constraints, stating that this critical principle remains unchanged.

Civil Servants Study Tour in Chengdu

A delegation of Hong Kong SAR government officials, led by Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung Ho Poi-yan, visited Chengdu for a study tour on national affairs. The delegation engaged with relevant departments of the Chengdu Municipal People's Government to discuss the city's 14th Five-Year Plan and toured several key sites. These included the Chengdu Planning Exhibition Hall, where they learned about Chengdu's development history, overall planning, and future strategies. They also visited the National Supercomputing Center in Chengdu, the first supercomputing center in the western region, and Sichuan Sino-Jet Aviation Technology Development Co., Ltd., a leading domestic low-altitude economy general aviation aircraft developer.

Ingrid Yeung Ho Poi-yan highlighted that Chengdu is a crucial national high-tech industrial base, a scientific and technological innovation center, and a commercial and logistics hub. She noted that Chengdu's achievements offer valuable insights and lessons for Hong Kong, particularly in the context of national strategies. The delegation gained a deeper understanding of Chengdu's latest developments and its role as an important central city in the western region.

*Source: YouTube: RTHK (2026-04-24)*

Tags: #Hong Kong #Hospital Authority #Medication #Patients #Healthcare