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SCMP Reporter

Q Should regulations governing medicine advertising on television be relaxed?

The proposal to allow drug advertising ('Drug firms may see TV and radio advertising ban lifted', December 23) would appear to be yet another example of how the government accepts the wishes of big corporations against the interests of the people.

The medical profession would argue that pharmaceuticals are part of a system comprising diagnosis, prescription of a drug and observation of effects - and that drugs should not be taken in other circumstances.

What is the objective of the pharmaceutical companies? Is it to encourage people to seek drugs by the back door, or to pester their doctors into giving them what they have been brainwashed to believe is good for them?

A report by the Nutritional Institute of America concluded that millions of patients in hospitals have adverse drug reactions to prescribed medicine. There are no similar statistics for Hong Kong, but surely there is a lot to do to put our medical house in order before opening the doors to yet more errors and irresponsibility.

Name and address supplied

Q How do you feel about the axing of the Canton Road station?

I was very disappointed when the KCR Corporation decided not to build the Canton Road station for the Kowloon Southern Link - and even more upset by comments from KCRC spokeswoman Grace Lam, who claimed 'the corporation is mindful of the fact that there is public interest in the building of a Canton Road station' (Talkback, December 17), even though it disregarded both public needs and interest.

Canton Road is one of the busiest areas for shoppers, working-class citizens and tourists. Many people, including myself, travel between Sha Tin and Canton Road frequently for work and leisure. It has been a nightmare for residents living in Sha Tin, who have to walk for more than 15 minutes or change to other forms of transport from Hunghom in order to get to Canton Road. It is crystal clear that there is a public need for the station to be built. However, I doubt whether Ms Lam sees the situation from the perspective of residents of the New Territories.

The KCRC, as a public entity, should take the lead and responsibility for improving the public transport network for the sake of Hong Kong.

I have doubts about the attractiveness of the Kowloon Southern Link without the Canton Road station. I cannot see why people would choose to use the link if it fails to make their journeys to the busiest area in Tsim Sha Tsui easier.

Hong Kong needs some far-sighted planners. I am sure that the beneficiaries of the KCRC changing its mind would include all the people who go to Canton Road or work in Tsim Sha Tsui district, as well as tourists. Why don't they take the public interest more seriously?

Joyce Ng, Sha Tin

Q Will the hygiene plan reduce food poisoning?

Is this plan really feasible? I think it depends on several things.

First, the hygiene supervisors should not be hired by the restaurants. Otherwise, I am afraid that the supervisors would not point out the mistakes, as they would prefer to keep their jobs and may, as a result, be biased.

Instead, the government should take the responsibility to recruit supervisors and allocate them to restaurants.

Second, the government should offer training for the supervisors. They should know the rules and standards of hygiene. Although this would take time, it would be worthwhile if it can help ensure the health of customers and the prestige of Hong Kong, which is regarded as a food-lover's paradise.

Moreover, the related authority should also conduct patrols in order to better check if restaurants meet hygiene standards.

Au Ka-yan, Tsuen Wan

On other matters ...

The police warned that they will crack down on drink-driving  this holiday season, and well they should, but I'm not convinced they will do an effective job.

At lunch time on December 23, I came upon a truck weaving constantly across two lanes. The driver could not hold a straight line. Twice he cut in front of other vehicles, almost causing collisions, and once crossed double-white lines.

I followed behind this vehicle from Choi Hung all the way to Shekkipmei,  with my hazard lights on, trying to warn motorists to avoid an accident. Seeing no police, I decided that I'd best call for help. That was my mistake.

To get my phone, I had to stop my vehicle and so lost sight of the truck. After reporting the case to 999 and asking that they alert patrolling police to try to intercept this driver before he caused a serious accident, I soon received a phone call from a frontline police officer.

He then proceeded to instruct me on how to prepare a written complaint so that it could be dealt with by the traffic office. When I explained that I had not called to complain but, rather, to have officers get this man off the road, the policeman incredulously told me that police had no power to stop people from driving. I was led to understand that no police on patrol would be made aware of this situation.

What, then,  is the point of 999? Should I have waited for an accident to happen first? I cannot believe this is the response the police have to a citizen's requests for assistance.

I would like to know if the response I received from that officer is standard police procedure.

Meanwhile, during the holidays, you can be sure I will be travelling by train.

Name and address supplied



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