I refer to Dr C. L. Law's letter headlined, 'Patients should be allowed to make a choice' (South China Morning Post, July 17).
The current health-care system in Hong Kong is a total mess. Doctors dispense their own drugs and make a substantial profit, leaving many pharmacists either jobless or having to take work in a field where they cannot use their skills. For too long now in Hong Kong, doctors have been in a privileged position. They have got used to being treated like kings.
It is now time for the system to be overhauled. We should be following the example of many European nations and Australia and promoting pharmaceutical care.
These countries have a well-rounded and reliable health-care system. Pharmacists are not robots. Their job does not just entail typing a label on a drug after reading a doctor's prescription. Dispensing is only part of their job. In addition, they are involved in patient-counselling and giving advice on many over-the-counter medications. Pharmacists have studied drugs specifically and they know them inside out.
Even though people are acquiring a greater awareness of health care and becoming more knowledgeable, many doctors are still reluctant to talk to patients about the drugs that are being prescribed, or to explain any major side effects.
Given that a doctor's time is precious, why do they always have to do everything by themselves? Why don't they let pharmacists do the counselling part? This can only benefit the public and would lead to a better health-care system that would be admired internationally.
