Hongkong Post announced today (December 18) that to tie in with the Second Phase Opening-up of Sha Tau Kok from January 1, 2024, Sha Tau Kok Post Office will open for business on that day from 9am to 4pm. Six … read more
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (December 18) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about outbreaks of highly p… read more
The Department of Health (DH) today (December 18) reminded the public that pharmaceutical products containing pholcodine will be deregistered and cannot be sold on the market with effect from January 1, 2024.
Pholcodine is a centrally acting cough suppressant, which is used in adults and children to treat a non-productive cough. After taking into consideration various factors including the latest recommendations on pholcodine by overseas regulatory authorities, and advice given by local experts that the use of pholcodine in the 12 months before general anaesthesia with neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) is a risk for developing NMBA anaphylaxis, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong decided to deregister pharmaceutical products containing pholcodine with effect from January 1, 2024. A press release together with a list of 27 affected products (these products are listed in the Attachment) was issued on July 7 this year to announce the decision. The DH had also issued letters to healthcare professionals and pharmaceutical traders to inform them of the decision and requested the drug manufacturers and wholesale dealers concerned to recall their pharmaceutical products from the market.
“The DH has issued reminder letters to healthcare professionals and the certificate holders concerned again regarding the commencement date of deregistration of the products. Patients who are still using the pharmaceutical products concerned should contact healthcare professionals immediately for switching to suitable alternative treatments,” a spokesman for the DH said.
“With effect from January 1, 2024, all drug manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and healthcare professionals must stop selling or supplying pharmaceutical products containing pholcodine. Drug manufacturers and wholesalers must recall all products concerned from the market by December 31 this year. The DH will take enforcement action against any illegal possession or sale of pharmaceutical products containing pholcodine from January 1 next year,” the spokesman added.
Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138), illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products and Part 1 poisons is a criminal offence. The maximum penalty for each offence upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and two years’ imprisonment. read more
The 18th Joint Meeting of the Senior Health Officials of the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao (Joint Meeting) was held today (December 18) in Hong Kong. The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, welcomed and expressed his heartfelt thanks to Vice-minister of the National Health Commission Mr Lei Haichao and the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), Ms Ao Ieong U, for participating in the meeting held in Hong Kong with their delegations.
The Joint Meeting has all along been a platform for senior medical and health officials, and experts from the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao to exchange views, share experiences and enhance co-operation on present-day medical and public health issues. The Joint Meeting is hosted by the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao in rotation.
Members of the three delegations today engaged in sharing and discussions covering three major issues, namely cross-boundary medical co-operation, prevention and control of emerging infectious diseases and primary healthcare in the community. Professor Lo and Vice-minister Lei also signed a medical- and healthcare-related co-operation arrangement at the Joint Meeting.
Professor Lo said that the meeting consolidated the seamless and solid collaboration among the three places, driving the formulation of long-term and sustainable healthcare policies under the joint effort of three health authorities for safeguarding the wellbeing of the citizens of the three places and contributing to the overall development of the nation’s “Healthy China” strategy.
Members of the Hong Kong SAR Government delegation included the Permanent Secretary for Health, Mr Thomas Chan; the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam; the Chairman of the Hospital Authority (HA), Mr Henry Fan; and the Chief Executive of the HA, Dr Tony Ko.
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority Tenders of Exchange Fund Bills to be held on December 22, 2023: Tender date : December 22, 2023 Paper on offer : … read more