Drug safety proposals rushed, advisers warn

Two medical professionals have urged the government to reconsider some of the proposals put up by a review committee to improve drug safety, saying the recommendations do not fully reflect their opinions.

The pair, who are among more than 20 people sitting on the review committee on the regulation of pharmaceutical products, said members had not been given enough time to express their views and did not reach a consensus before the proposals were publicised on October 23.

Dr Yeung Chiu-fat, president of the Doctors Union, and Iris Chang Yee-man, president of the Practising Pharmacists Association, said they opposed one of the proposals, which required all doctors and retailers to keep written records for drug orders.

Chang said it would not be useful in preventing wrong dispensing and would waste the time and resources of doctors and drug retailers.

'The most important thing in preventing such accidents is to urge doctors and retailers to double check the drugs when they receive and dispense them to patients,' she said.

'To keep written records for drug orders will be time-consuming, leaving doctors and pharmacists with less time to communicate with patients.'