DH reminds trade that medical gases will be regulated as pharmaceutical products starting from June 14
The Department of Health (DH) today (April 14) reminded the trade that medical gases will be regulated as pharmaceutical products two months from now (starting from June 14). By that time, any company involved in the manufacture, wholesale or retail sales of medical gases must obtain the relevant drug dealer's licence(s) in accordance with the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) (the Ordinance), so that they can operate the businesses lawfully. In addition, medical gases must first be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong (the Board) before they can be legally sold in Hong Kong, to ensure that the products meet the required standards of safety, efficacy and quality.
The Board decided on June 14, 2024, that medical gases should be regulated as pharmaceutical products under the Ordinance. In addition, pharmaceutical products containing nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and nitric oxide should be regulated as prescription drugs. A two-year preparation period has been provided to the trade for obtaining the relevant licences and registering their related products.
According to the Ordinance, illegal possession or sale of unregistered pharmaceutical products or prescription drugs, and manufacture or wholesale of pharmaceutical products without the relevant licences constitute criminal offences. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment upon conviction.
Since 2024, the DH hasmaintained ongoing communication with the trade and stakeholders regarding the new regulatory arrangements, including sending letters to notify them and remind them to make early preparations. The DH will further enhance its communication efforts before the new regulatory arrangements take effect to help the trade understand the relevant requirements. Medical gases will soon be regulated as pharmaceutical products. For details on applying for the relevant licence(s) and product registration, please visit the Board's website or the website of the Drug Office of the DH. Information on the regulation of medical gases and a list of registered medical gases can be found on the DH's Drug Office website.
Opening remarks by SHYA at LegCo Finance Committee special meeting
Following are the opening remarks (English translation) by the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, at the special meeting of the Legislative Council Finance Committee today (April 14):
Chairman,
I would like to brief Members on the key areas of work of the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) in 2026-27.
On youth development, the HYAB has been co-ordinating with various bureaux to implement at full steam some 160 measures set out in the Youth Development Blueprint. The bureaux have also introduced more than 130 new measures subsequently, such that the Blueprint evolves with the times.
This year, we are launching a Young Talent Training Programme to better equip our young people, broaden their international horizons and cultivate a holistic outlook. We will also continue to take forward various exchange and internship programmes outside Hong Kong, helping young people to explore our country and the world. Moreover, the new round of youth entrepreneurship projects funded by the HYAB have been rolled out successfully to offer full support to our aspiring youth entrepreneurs.
Following the success of previous years, we will also organise the third edition of the Youth Development Summit in the second half of 2026 to facilitate exchange among youths from different regions.
To expand spaces and network for the youth, the HYAB is developing several youth development facilities. The Kai Tak Community Isolation Facility has converted into a "Youth Post" hostel and spaces for youth cultural, arts and sports exchanges. It has commenced operation last year. We have set up a physical interactive platform for "Youth Link" members at the Nam Cheong District Community Centre and the Tung Chau Street Temporary Market, namely "Youth Link · Nam Cheong". In addition, the Government has established a new interactive space at the Youth Square, which includes a video studio for rolling out the "Good Stories of Hong Kong Youth" Programme. The first phase renovation works of these facilities were completed for soft opening in end-2025, and the works for the remaining phases will be completed within 2026.
On the aspect of women, to advance women's development, the annual funding for the Women Empowerment Fund will be increased to $30 million in 2026-27, and a Programme on Women's Career Development, which focuses on providing employment-related support to women, will be launched with the aim of empowering them to re-enter the workforce, transform in the job market, and start their own career.
As regards civic and national education, in 2026–27, the HYAB will continue working closely with the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education to promote civic education and national education.We aim to help the general public develop positive values, stronger civic awareness, a deeper sense of patriotism, and greater respect for the rule of law through a wide range of channels and diverse activities, including quiz competitions, seminars, thematic exhibitions, interactive drama, and more.
On district governance, the seventh-term District Councils have continuously refined their operations over the past year on the foundations of the institutional reforms, and have continued to deliver its "consultation + service" functions, materialising a new form of governance that is district-oriented and with members of the public at heart. District Council members have performed well, not only providing service to residents through their ward offices, but also proactively reaching out to the people through the Mobile Meeting Room to stay close and responsive to public sentiments.
To further support the integration of ethnic minorities (EMs) into the community, the Home Affairs Department set up one additional EM Care Team in each of the Support Service Centres for EMs serving North and Islands Districts respectively, and established a "Youth Network" and a "Women's Network" in all 10 Support Service Centres across the territory in April this year.
The first-term District Services and Community Care Teams have fully met their service targets, while teams have even over-achieved key performance indicators. The total expenditure for the overall service plan of the first-term Care Teams was $444 million, of which $411 million was covered by government funding disbursed in accordance with the funding agreements, while the remaining expenditure was met by resources from the community gathered by the Care Teams. This reflects the Care Teams' effective mobilisation of resources from the community and their prudent use of public funds. The second-term services of 455 Care Teams in 18 districts have commenced in Q3 2025 upon the end of the first term to deepen and broaden their services.
The Government is committed to promoting good building management. We launched a one-year Pilot Scheme on Joint Property Management in four districts in June last year to help "three-nil buildings" and old single-block buildings engage the same property management company to jointly manage the buildings. In view of the results, we will consider extending the pilot scheme to other districts. The Government has earmarked $7.25 million for the purpose.
The HYAB consulted the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Home Affairs, Culture and Sports on February 9, 2026, regarding the five major proposed amendment directions to the Building Management Ordinance (Cap. 344) and is currently following up on the views raised by LegCo Members.The Government has commenced exchanges with the property management sector and will conduct public consultation at a later stage.Views will also be collected from the districts through the Working Groups on Building Management established under the District Councils, with the aim of finalising the concrete legislative proposals as soon as possible for submission to the LegCo for scrutiny.
My colleagues and I are happy to answer questions from Members. Thank you.
Source: AI-found images
