Hong Kong Advances as International Health and Medical Innovation Hub, Focuses on Clinical Trial Development

Secretary for Health chairs fourth meeting of Steering Committee on Health and Medical Innovation Development

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, chaired the fourth meeting of the Steering Committee on Health and Medical Innovation Development today (August 5) to discuss the strategies for developing Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub, as well as the continued efforts in driving clinical trial development. Members also offered advice on the future development of the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute (GBAICTI).

At the meeting, members were briefed by the GBAICTI, the Hospital Authority (HA), the Department of Health, medical schools and the Health Bureau (HHB) on the work taken forward and the latest progress on various measures to support clinical trial development. A representative of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology School of Medicine also attended the meeting for the first time. Since its establishment in November 2024, the GBAICTI has been making steady progress on a number of fronts, including the launch of a centralised processing mechanism for clinical study agreement templates with the HA and the University of Hong Kong Clinical Trials Centre to standardise relevant procedures across public hospitals and universities. This is to expedite trial initiations and provide one-stop support for clinical trial opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to pharmaceutical research and development (R&D) enterprises through setting up the Greater Bay Area Clinical Trial Collaboration Platform under the "one institute, one center" model with Shenzhen. The Good Clinical Practice(ICH GCP E6(R3)) also came into effect on June 30 this year, further aligning Hong Kong's clinical trials with international standards. Members endorsed the relevant directions of work and offered constructive comments.

Professor Lo said, "I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Steering Committee members for their invaluable insights. The Policy Address has set out clearly the Government's policy objective of developing Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub. The HHB will complement technological innovation with institutional innovation and further reform the medical and healthcare systems, making every effort to advance Hong Kong's development into an international health and medical innovation hub.

"Clinical trials form an important foundation of health and medical innovation. Hong Kong possesses the institutional advantages of the 'one country, two systems' framework, high-quality healthcare professionals and technologies, and unique advantages of high compatibility with international standards. Through the GBAICTI, we will co-ordinate clinical trial resources in the public and private sectors to enhance Hong Kong's clinical trial capability and efficiency on all fronts, as well as to foster co-ordinated development with other GBA cities, with a view to attracting more local, Mainland and overseas pharmaceutical and medical device enterprises to conduct R&D and clinical trials in Hong Kong. This will enable patients to benefit from the most advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies at an early stage, thereby achieving the goal of bringing the benefits of good drugs and R&D to Hong Kong, while spurring the development of advanced biomedical technology industries," he emphasised.

Chaired by the Secretary for Health, the Steering Committee on Health and Medical Innovation Development comprises members from relevant government bureaux and departments, institutions and local medical schools. The Steering Committee is responsible for co-ordinating and advancing work related to health and medical innovation, with a view to further taking forward the policy measures of developing Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub as set out in the Policy Address.

Secretary for Health chairs fourth meeting of Steering Committee on Health and Medical Innovation Development Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH cracks down on illegal sale or possession of unregistered medicine

The Department of Health (DH) today (August 5) conducted operations across multiple districts in Hong Kong to crack down on the illegal sale or possession of unregistered medicine, seizing approximately 100 boxes of suspected unregistered medicine claimed to have pain-relieving effects. Most of the products were labelled in Japanese. Additionally, a man was arrested on suspicion of violating the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Chapter 138) (the Ordinance).

The DH received a report that pain relief medicine classified as Part 1 poisons under the Ordinance were being sold or possessed on the market. However, the products were labelled in Japanese and were suspected of not being registered in Hong Kong. Hence, the DH officers today conducted unannounced inspections in various districts, including Tsim Sha Tsui, Causeway Bay, Sheung Shui and Yuen Long. At an Authorized Seller of Poisons (ASP), commonly known as a pharmacy, a Listed Seller of Poisons (LSP) commonly known as a medicine company and two retail outlets, DH officers seized approximately 100 boxes of suspected unregistered medicine claimed to have pain-relieving effects. Most of the products were labelled in Japanese and did not bear a Hong Kong pharmaceutical product Registration Number. They are suspected to be medicine containing "Ibuprofen" and "dihydrocodeine". A 38-year-old man was arrested by the police on suspicion of contravention of drug-related offences, including, illegal possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products and Part 1 Poisons.

The DH will continue to investigate and follow-up on the case, and will prosecute other individuals involved in the case when sufficient evidence is available.

Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain killer and its side effects include nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort and peptic ulcers. Dihydrocodeine is an opioid analgesic used as a cough suppressant and for pain relief, and its side effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation and drowsiness. Medicines containing Ibuprofen and dihydrocodeine are Part 1 poisons and should only be supplied by a pharmacy under the supervision of a registered pharmacist or upon the advice of a medical practitioner.

The DH has an established mechanism to monitor the sale of pharmaceutical products in the market (including the Internet). If the DH detects any suspected illegal sale or possession of pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons, the DH will promptly investigate, and, if necessary, refer the case to other law enforcement agencies to follow up, or conduct joint operations with other law enforcement agencies, and any irregularities so found will be dealt with in accordance with the law. Illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons are criminal offences under the Ordinance, which upon conviction, are subject to a fine of up to $100,000 and an imprisonment for two years.

According to the Ordinance, all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be legally sold in the market. The DH reminded the public that all registered pharmaceutical products should carry a Hong Kong registration number on the package in the format of "HK-XXXXX". The safety, quality and efficacy of unregistered pharmaceutical products are not guaranteed.

The DH strongly urged members of the public to consult healthcare professionals before consuming any medication. Do not self-purchase or consume products of doubtful composition or from unknown sources as their safety, quality and efficacy are unguaranteed. The DH has prepared some safety information for consumers regarding the purchase and use of medicines, namely Be Cautious when Buying Medicines on Internet, General Knowledge on Registered Medicines, Be Cautious When Buying Medicines Overseas.

DH cracks down on illegal sale or possession of unregistered medicine Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH cracks down on illegal sale or possession of unregistered medicine Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases