Why do Hong Kong doctors overprescribe for common ailments?
A recent arrival from overseas describes her shock at being handed seven different drugs for tonsillitis and a cough
Hong Kong, I love you but you’re bringing me down.
I moved here five months ago from Australia’s very quiet, very comfortable, very clean capital, Canberra. As you can imagine, relocating to Hong Kong has been a shock to the system – and not least to the immune system.
I’m not sure whether they are appeasing the patient’s need to be medicated or the drug company’s need to medicate – but it’s just too much. Never before have I come away from a visit to the doctor with seven different medications for tonsillitis and a cough. I was given everything from a basic pain reliever to drugs to treat side effects of other drugs prescribed.
Most worrying of all is that doctors here seem to hand out antibiotics like they are confectionery. Hello! Superbugs!
Unlike those people who search the internet to find out what illness they might have before heading to the doctor, I now spend my time googling the drugs I’ve been given after visiting the doctor to decipher which I actually need to take.
Of course, I’m no medical professional, just a whingeing patient, but I feel like rather than handing out yet another round of pills, I’d prefer the doctor told me to toughen up.