Hong Kong community pharmacy scheme to launch end of October
Hong Kong's community pharmacy scheme will begin at the end of October, pairing patients with designated pharmacies in four districts. The first phase involves 20 pharmacies across Eastern, Yau Tsim Mong, Sha Tin and Yuen Long, with expansion to all 18 districts planned by the fourth quarter of next
The Health Bureau has announced that the community pharmacy scheme will launch at the end of this month, starting patient-matching arrangements with designated community pharmacies.
The first phase of the scheme will operate in four districts – Eastern, Yau Tsim Mong, Sha Tin and Yuen Long – and will serve patients from designated family doctors participating in the shared governance network as well as those from Hospital Authority family medicine clinics. A total of 20 community pharmacies have been selected, with five in each district chosen for their convenient locations near residential areas and shopping centres.
Patients who are successfully matched will be able to collect prescribed medication at their chosen pharmacy. Pharmacists will provide guidance on medication use and offer related drug and health consultations, aiming to improve patients' accurate use of medication and personal health management. The scheme's medication re-dispensing service is designed to prevent patients from storing excessive medication at home, reducing the risks of improper storage and incorrect use, as well as minimising drug wastage.
The Health Bureau will invite family doctors participating in the shared governance network to join the scheme in phases. Eligible patients will be invited to register and be matched with their preferred designated community pharmacy, and will be informed of the details of the medication dispensing or re-dispensing arrangements.
The community pharmacy scheme is scheduled to expand to all 18 districts of Hong Kong in the fourth quarter of next year. Thereafter, more eligible pharmacies will be invited to participate in each district. For individuals who are participants of the shared governance network, medication costs will follow the arrangements of the community drug formulary; for Hospital Authority patients, medication charges will remain consistent with existing Hospital Authority fees.
